Factors associated with gender based violence against women in Uganda

Abstract

Gender Based Violence study (2016), Violence against women is one of the major public health and human rights issue in Uganda and the world today. This study aimed at assess the factors associated with Gender based violence in Uganda. The study used the UDHS 2016 dataset and data was analyzed using STATA version 15.0. The study found out that women’s age, educational level, wealth status, husband’s alcohol consumption had a significant relationship with Gender based violence in Eastern Uganda. The study therefore recommended that government and Ministry of Gender should move quickly to implement the Harmonize gender Health Policy in order to guide and revitalize gender health programs. Society leaders should lobby for enhanced budget allocation for cases of gender based-violence and early marriages, including support for women and girls Increased community knowledge and sensitization about the dangers of gender based-violence and early marriages, case follow-up, advice and counseling, and the construction of reception and rehabilitation centers for women and girls where they can receive therapy, care and counseling services. Equipping and establishing of the care units and Centers like in or around police for women to provide facilities that can take care of the mothers and the girls especially to the victims. Government should impose heavy and strict laws on some cultural practices such as forced and early marriages and also set heavy penalties to the gender based-violence offenders or practitioners so as to safe guard women against gender- based violence.