Factors associated with sexual violence among currently married women in Uganda
Abstract
This research project presents sexual violence and factors contributing to it in Ugandan currently married women. It investigates how age at first marriage, ethnicity, employment, wealth index, place of residence and levels of education among women and how they contribute to sexual violence.
Research shows that sexual violence is common problem among females and it has far-reaching consequences such as physical and mental, and sexual and reproductive health, and economic consequences to the community and individuals. This kind of violence takes different forms such as non-consensual sexual acts, for example unwanted comments, kissing, touching sexual parts of the body, forced masturbation, attempted rape and rape.
Methods
This study used data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) to investigate the factors for increased sexual violence among currently married women in Uganda. A total of 1118 women aged 15-49 was the sample who were married in the survey. Women 15-49 who were either permanent residents of the households or visitors who slept in the households the night before the survey were eligible to be interviewed. Results were obtained by examining the relationship between sexual violence and other independent variables using the Pearson’s chi square test.
Findings
The study found that sexual violence is common among rural, poor families and those with partners taking alcohol and to those who witness it on their parents with p values less than 0.05. 25% of women age 15-49 have ever experienced sexual violence, and 13% experienced sexual violence in the 12 months preceding the survey.
Conclusions
There is need to promote gender equity and equality among couples and counselling canters to help couples report sexual violence cases. The findings of the study support the need to carry more research on causes of sexual violence among couples.