Educating a woman is a way towards gender-based violence among women in Tanzania: A case of Kawe Ward in Kinondoni Municipal Council

Abstract

This paper intends to examine how education is used as a tool against gender-based violence among women. The study was carried out at Kinondoni Municipal Council specifically in Kawe ward. Questionnaires were used in data collection while an in-depth interview guide was used to collect information from key informants such as ward leaders, gender desk officers, and ward social welfare officers. A total of 208 respondents were sampled for the survey, whereby 75 were male and 133 were women. A mixed method was employed, whereby quantitative data from the questionnaires was examined and subjected to statistical tests mainly chi-square (P≥ 0.05), while qualitative data was coded, and themes developed. The findings of the study reveal that gender-based violence is prevalent in both women with education and those without education. Causes of gender-based violence in the study were established to include; low financial capacity, culture, education level, behaviour, upbringing, moral decline and family decline. Additionally, study findings describe the effects of gender-based violence, which include suicide, poverty, family disintegration, a generation without morals, human rights violations, diseases, and psychological torture. Additionally, study findings reveal that women, children, and single mothers are more affected group by gender-based violence. This study recommends that comprehensive approaches should be employed in the eradication of gender-based violence. They include sensitisation of societal members on gender-based violence matters, education to the girl child, women empowerment, application of religious teaching, and development of strict laws against gender-based violence.