Experience of violence by married women during COVID-19 in Nansana municipality, Wakiso district

Abstract

Violence against women is a serious social and public health problem that challenges a significant number of women globally. VAW manifests in different forms including; physical, emotional and sexual forms. The study sought to understand experiences of violence against married women during COVID-19 in Nansana municipality. The specific objectives of the study were; to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on the exposure to violence against married women; to investigate the status and means of reporting violence by the affected married women and to establish how married women responded to acts of violence perpetrated against them during COVID-19 in Nansana municipality. The study adopted an exploratory case study design and a qualitative approach to research. Twenty (20) married women who were survivors of VAW were selected, 6 key informants and two FGDs were held. Data was later analyzed using thematic analysis. Study findings indicated that COVID-19 contributed to violence against married women through pausing economic challenges, limited support services and increased idleness. Findings further revealed that women in Nansana experienced different types of violence including sexual, psychological and physical forms of violence and women responded to this violence through informal and formal support systems. Conclusively married women in Nansana municipality were victims of different forms of violence during COVID-19 lockdown. Strategic interventions must therefore be put in place to ensure the safety of married women against violent incidents during health emergencies like COVID-19.