Experiences of Gender based violence in family life: A case study of Bugesera District

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the experiences of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in family life, and it concentrated on Bugesera District. The researcher used mixed data method while collecting data where both qualitative and quantitative data approaches were used on the field and the population sample is 60 participants from 5 different sectors of Bugesera District where most cases of GBV in 2018-2019 were common. The study indicates number of realities of GBV in Family life but most especially Battery and Assaults is common on the ground basing on the study results obtained from 51.7% respondents. And 68.3% respondents pointed Alcohol and Drug Abuse as the main source of GBV realities in Bugesera District while women are the common victims of such life and their perpetrators are none other than their husband, spouses and other male partners. At the end of all violations and conflicts poverty comes a result simply because such families experiencing GBV don not concentrate on family development but conflicting day and night. Even though research highlighted causes of GBV in Family life but it shows that GBV is rooted in patriarchal cultures system of Rwanda where men dominate women and girls in society which superiority give them false confidence of exercising their power over women and girls. In conclusion therefore, families were recommended to embrace effective communication and the truth which can reduce on conflicts in family life and work together as a family, backed by heavy and serious punishments of GBV perpetrators by the government this will motivate victims to break silence and report to the concerned authorities thus peace in family life of Bugesera District.