The Role of Women Income Generating Activities on Gender- Based Violence Prevention Mbulu District.

Abstract

Women’s income activities are crucial for growth of the economy within the country and globally. On the other hand, women are subjected to gender discrimination, enduring different forms of abuse including Gender Based Violence (GVB), and their human rights have been violated. Hence, there is a need to assess whether involving women in income generating activities would lead to end Gender Based Violence. The main objective of this study was to assess the role of women income generating activities (IGAs) in the prevention of gender-based violence in Mbulu District. The specific objectives were to assess forms of Gender Based Violence among Women; to identify the Income Generating Activities women are engaged in; and, to describe the contribution of women’s income generating activities to the prevention of Gender Based Violence in Mbulu District. The study employed a cross-sectional research design, whereby a total of 156 respondents were involved in the study. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The results showed that the extent of gender-based violence against women was high in Mbulu District. The results further showed that women were involved in livestock keeping, food vending, selling vegetables, fruits, fish, homemade soaps and local beer as Income Generating Activities. Findings, on the other hand, indicated that there is relationship between income generating activities and the prevention of gender based violence in Mbulu District. Therefore, it is concluded that, participation in income generating activities had a great potential to prevent gender-based violence. The recommendations from the study are the communities through Government and NGOs should create awareness to both men and women on the negative consequences of gender based violence