Gender-Based Violence against Female Students of Debre Markos University, North-West Ethiopia: Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) affects between 10 and 70% of women worldwide, rape and domestic violence accounting for 10-50% healthy– years lost by women. School-based GBV represents a serious obstacle through physical harm, severe psychological and scholastic adverse consequences. As a result, it would be a threat for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to education and gender equality. Therefore, this research was undertaken to assess the prevalence, outcome and associated factors of GBV among female students of Debre Markos University. Methodologically, we included 766 female students from all departments of the university. GBV was assessed using self-administered questionnaires adapted from WHO multi-country study on women‟s health and life events. For qualitative data (in depth interviews (IDI) and focused-group discussions (FGD) were carried out. Male students, family members and partners were the main perpetrators. Factors significantly associated with GBV were areas where female students were grown up, academic status, witnessing parental conflict during childhood, non-disclosure of sexual and reproductive issues with families, and family control. Therefore, we recommend that information; education and behavior change activities aimed at preventing GBV and changing social norms on the use of violence must be implemented and strengthened within the campus and the community.