Perception of Forms and Causes of Domestic Violence Against Women in Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47514/kjg.2025.07.01.038Keywords:
Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, Cultural Norms, Chikun LGA, Kaduna State, Gender Equality, NigeriaAbstract
Domestic violence is a longstanding issue in Nigeria, often perceived as a normal part of life and not considered a matter deserving of public health attention as it is today. This study explored perceptions of the forms and causes of domestic violence against women in Chikun LGA, Kaduna State. Data were collected through a survey, and questionnaires were administered to 382 respondents. Stratified and purposive sampling techniques were used to select respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that 45.5% of respondents perceived wife beating as the most common form of domestic violence, driven by cultural and socioeconomic factors, lack of education, and gender inequality. About 82.1% of respondents were aware of the frequency of domestic violence in the area. The study found that domestic violence often results from deep-seated cultural practices that encourage male dominance, coupled with economic challenges and limited access to education. The consequences are far-reaching, affecting not only victims but also their families and communities. The study concludes that low-income family relationships, illiteracy, poor economic status, and substance abuse contribute to domestic violence. It recommends establishing Guidance and Counselling centers to educate and counsel partners on peaceful coexistence. Additionally, community-based initiatives are needed to address the cultural and socioeconomic factors driving domestic violence and to promote gender equality and women's empowerment. By addressing these underlying issues, it is possible to reduce the prevalence of domestic violence and create a safer, more equitable society for all.
References
Adebayo, A. O. (2003). Family Violence Against Women: A Comparative Study of Families in Formal and Informal Business Sectors in Ibadan Metropolis. Ibadan: Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER).
Adjah, E. S. O., & Agbemafle, I. (2016). Domestic violence against women in Ghana: An exploratory study in Upper West Region, Ghana. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 6(6), 109–121.
Ajayi, C. E., Chantler, K., & Radford, L. (2021). The Role of Cultural Beliefs, Norms, and Practices in Nigerian Women’s Experiences of Sexual Abuse and Violence. Violence Against Women, 28(2), 465. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012211000134
Alabi, T. A., & Ramsden, M. J. (2021). Gender differences in the acceptance of wife-beating in Nigeria: Evidence from the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey. Heliyon, 7(10), e08191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08191
Arisukwu, O., Igbolekwu, C., Adebisi, T., & Akindele, F. (2021). Perception of domestic violence among rural women in Kuje. Heliyon, 7(2), e06303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06303
Baba, B. M., Abubakar, M. L., Raji, R. B., & Ibrahim, R. (2020). Spatial Distribution of Electric Transformers in Narayi Ward, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Kaduna Journal of Geography, 2(2), 114–130.
Breiding, M., Basile, K., Smith, S., Black, M., & Mahendra, R. (2015). Intimate Partner Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements. Version 2.0. Atlanta (GA): National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Ekwueme, S. C. (2025). Empirical Evaluation of the Role of African Traditional Religion in Promoting Gender-Based Violence in Southeast Nigeria. Religions, 16(3), 359. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16030359
Fawole, O. I., Aderonmu, A. L., & Fawole, A. O. (2005). Intimate partner abuse: wife beating among civil servants in Ibadan, Nigeria. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 9(2), 54–64.
Gay, L. R., Mills, G. E., & Airasian, P. (2006). Educational Research Competencies for Analysis and Applications. (8th ed.). Pearson Prentice Hall Publications.
Hall, R. J. (2015). Feminist strategies to end violence against women. The Oxford handbook of transnational feminist movements, 394–415.
Holt, S., Buckley, H., Whelan, S. (2008). The impact of exposure to domestic violence on children and young people: a review of the literature. Child Abuse Negl., 32: 797–810
Huntley, A. L., Potter, L., Williamson, E., Malpass, A., Szilassy, E., & Feder, G. (2019). Help-seeking by male victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA): a systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis. BMJ open, 9(6), e021960.
Ibegbulam, I.J., Adepoju, F., & Echezona, I. R. (2022). "Combating Domestic Violence Against Women in Nigeria: The Role of Library and Information Science Professionals". Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 7310. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/7310
Igbolekwu, C. O., Arusukwu, O., Nwogu, J. N., Rasak, B., Asamu, F., & Osueke, N. O. (2021). Domestic violence against women in the Nigerian rural context. Journal of International Women's Studies, 22(1), Article no. 14
Ikenga, N. Purse News Agency Local by NAN /13:02/23.06.2016.
Iloka, C. P. (2022). Understanding the Concept, History, and Dimensions of Domestic Violence against Women. ACARELAR, 3, 41.
Ishola, A. S. (2016). Domestic Violence: The Nigerian Experience. Asia-Africa Journal of Mission and Ministry. Vol. 13, app.3-16, Feb. 2016. https://doi.org/10.21806/aamm.2016.13.08
Kana, M. A., Safiyan, H., Yusuf, H. E., Musa, A. S. M., Richards-Barber, M., Harmon, Q. E., & London, S. J. (2020). Association of intimate partner violence during pregnancy and birth weight among term births: a cross-sectional study in Kaduna, Northwestern Nigeria. BMJ open, 10(12), e036320. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036320
Kaufman, M. (2004, October 21). Women and the war against gender violence. The Guardian, p.15.
Krejcie, R.V., & Morgan, D.W., (1970). Determining Sample Size for Research Activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement.
Lomazzi, V. (2023). The Cultural Roots of Violence against Women: Individual and Institutional Gender Norms in 12 Countries. Social Sciences, 12(3), 117. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12030117
Mshelia, I. H. (2021). Gender based violence and violence against women in Nigeria: A sociological analysis. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 5(8). https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2021.5837
Mshweshwe, L. (2020). Understanding domestic violence: Masculinity, culture, traditions. Heliyon, 6(10), e05334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05334
National Population Commission (NPC) (2006) Nigerian Population Census Report. National Population Commission, Abuja, 21-27.
Oli, N. P. (2012). Public perception of violence against women in urban and rural areas in Anambra State, Nigeria.
Oloruntosin, O. N., Damilola, A. O., Temilola, A. B., & Juliet Ifeoluwa, A. (2021). Factors Influencing Disclosure of Intimate Partner Violence among Young and Middle-Aged Women (15-50 Years) in Selected Primary Health Centers, Oyo State. Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science, 34(12), 142–154. https://doi.org/10.9734/jesbs/2021/v34i1230391
Saunders, D. G., Jiwatram-Negrón, T., Nanasi, N., & Cárdenas, I. (2022). Patriarchy's Link to Intimate Partner Violence: Applications to Survivors’ Asylum Claims. Violence Against Women, 29(11), 1998. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012221132299
Tesfa, A., Dida, N., Girma, T., & Aboma, M. (2020). Intimate Partner Violence, Its Sociocultural Practice, and Its Associated Factors Among Women in Central Ethiopia. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 13, 2251. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S277310
World Health Organization (2024). Violence against women. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women
Zepinic, V. (2023). Battered Women Syndrome: The Iceberg of Domestic Violence. Beijing L. Rev., 14, 143. https://doi.org/10.4236/blr.2023.141008
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Helen Musa, Bala Dogo, Hauwau Evelyn Yusuf, Saadatu Umaru Baba (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
