Gender Based Violence and its Effects on Women’s Reproductive Health: The Case of Hatcliffe, Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Gender based violence (GBV) negatively impacts on women’s reproductive health (R.H) and is contrary to human rights and RH statutory instruments. The study triangulates quantitative and qualitative research methods with women in the reproductive age group being the target group. The study noted that 95% of the respondents experienced physical violence, 31% rape by a stranger, 92% spousal rape and 65% forced marriages. Socio-cultural, religious, economic and policy implementation factors underlie a culture of silence that prevails among the victims of GBV. The study recommends economic empowerment of women and information, education, counselling pertaining to the negative effects of GBV to both males and females. There is need for education about grievance procedures and scaling up of policy enforcement in order to curb the gruesome effects of GBV. (Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[1]: 110-122).

Keywords: physical abuse, sexual violence, forced marriages, Hatcliffe, Zimbabwe