Abstract:
Domestic Violence Against Women (DVAW) is a global problem that crosses cultural, geographic,
religious, social and economic boundaries and is a violation of human rights. Domestic Violence
against women deprives women’s right to fully take part in social and economic life. Many
empirical works on domestic violence conducted in Ethiopia have been explained by quantitatively,
it usually fails to contribute much to the understanding of why and how women themselves
experience domestic violence and it does not provide sufficient rigor since it is inextricably linked
with socio-cultural contexts, norms, beliefs and practices from subjective point of view by
phenomenological. Moreover, no studies have been done rural women lived experience of domestic
violence in study area, in Konta Special Woreda SNNPR. The objective of this study is to describe
the rural women lived experience of domestic violence. The study used qualitative
phenomenological research designs and various data gathering tools including in-depth interview,
focus group discussions, key informant and case study on issues. An in-depth interview was carried
out with ten women who were survivors of domestic violence, two focus group discussions (which
contained 6 study participants) and three key informant and two case study were qualify the study
findings. The finding of the study shows that women who are living in rural area have suffered a
great deal from different acts of domestic violence because of lack of awareness, negative attitudes
and economic dependency. Beating, insulting, kicking, punching, undermining, lack of employment
and educational opportunities are among the dominant types of violence that affect women
physically, psychologically and economically. The study also confirmed that physical and
psychological violence are seen as far worse than other form of violence, because they leads to
other form of violence. Furthermore, the study identified various techniques or strategies used by
women survivors to deal with the domestic violence that they encounter in the hands of their
husband. Some of them include keeping silence, reporting to responsible bodies, and spending the
night outside. Their actions also aimed to rehabilitate from that injury. Based on the findings of
the study, it can be suggested that violence was a common and serious problem and have negative
impact on women and children. Therefore, it is recommended that domestic violence needs due
attention and remedial actions and Programs from government, non-governmental organization,
crating community’s awareness and religious institution given time to preach gospel on criminal
activities
