SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS AND PREVALENCE OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN THE KURIA COMMUNITY, KURIA EAST SUB-COUNTY, MIGORI COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Gender-based violence is a multifaceted and challenging issue prevalent in various communities across the globe. This complexity arises from the intricate interplay of social, cultural, economic, and psychological factors that contribute to its occurrence (Djamba, et al., 2019). This study sought to further explore the specific objectives which were to: examine, explore and analyze the effects of Religion, Economic Dependency, Cultural Practices, and Literacy Levels on the prevalence of GBV among the Kuria community. Symbolic Interactionism and Conflict Theories guided the study. Mixed Method approach was employed together with a Sequential Exploratory Design. The target population comprised community leaders, health care service providers, rescue centers, pre-selected women and girls and administration officers with a sample size of 400 respondents, identified by stratified random sampling technique using the Yamane formula. SPSS v.27 used to analyze quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Data was presented using tables, graphs, charts and verbatim. The research findings revealed that socio-economic factors indeed predispose victims to GBV by undermining their autonomy, shrouded in illiteracy, backward cultures, and disdain for divorce. The study further established that: Religion recorded a strong positive correlation, R = 0.575 (P = 0.000, p < 0.05), same as Economic Dependency; R = 0.541 (P = 0.000, P <0.05) implying a high correlation as well. Cultural Practices, R=0.436 (P=0.000, P < 0.05) indicated a moderate correlation between cultural practices and GBV and finally, Literacy Levels yielded; R = 0.618 (P = 0.000, P< 0.05), indicating a strong positive correlation with GBV prevalence. In conclusion, GBV proves to still be masked in a culture of silence, surrounded by stigma but its consequences are rather loud. The study proves that crisis intervention is still ineffective thus requires reinforcement; recommending interventions like multi-agency collaboration, legal reparation, support structures and strengthened health systems.