Rural women lived experiences of domestic violence: the case of konta special woreda, southern nations, nationalities and peoples regional state, Ethiopia

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