Gender-Based Violence Prevalence in Tertiary Institutions, Ekiti State, South-Western Nigeria

ABSTRACT:Gender-based violence is any physical, sexual and economic harm inflicted on a person because of his/her gender. Despite the huge success recorded by Millennium Development Goals Program, there is the fear that girls’ education may be disadvantaged due to increasing upsurge in cases of gender-based violence in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The study investigated the prevalence of gender-based violence in tertiary institutions in Ekiti State. It also examined the relationship between prevalence of gender-based violence in tertiary institutions used for the study. The descriptive research design of the survey type was employed for the study. The sample comprised 200 female undergraduates drawn from four tertiary institutions in Ekiti State. Purposive random sampling was employed to select female students from the institutions. A self-designed instrument was used to collect data and the data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentage scores, t-test, ANOVA and SchaffePoshoc analyses. The study found out that the prevalence of gender-based violence in tertiary institutions in Ekiti State was low but some forms of gender-based violence have been experienced by undergraduate students. Sexual related violence was the most common. The study revealed a significant difference between the levels of gender based violence in tertiary institutions in the State. Based on the findings, it was recommended that students in tertiary institutions should be protected against any form of gender-based violence by the appropriate authorities. All students should be sensitized on the ills and preventive measures against gender-based violence on campus.
KEY WORDS: Gender based violence, prevalence, rape, perpetrators, and sexualabuse