Violence Against Women and its Implication for Development: A case study of women in Kogi State

Abstract

Violence against women (VAW) is a global phenomenon, a social problem and a critical aspect of the women's question which relates to a broad spectrum of issues affecting the female gender vis-à-vis their male counterparts. This paper used Socioeconomic and Feminist Theories to examine various forms of discrimination against women; incidences of various forms of discrimination against women; various stages of discrimination against women; and the effects of VAW and its implications on development. The paper used both primary and secondary data. Through a survey, 350 women were sampled in five Local Government Areas of Kogi State. The paper demonstrated that VAW is as old as mankind and that women are the major victims of violence all over the world. Women suffer from different forms of gender-based violence which affect their health, psychological and socio-economic well-being. Women suffer trafficking, abductions, widowhood practices, rape, murder and socio-economic deprivations. Thus, the paper recommends that women should be sensitized on the dangers of GBV and encouraged to report acts of abuse irrespective of who perpetrates them; and policy-makers, governments, Non-Governmental Organizations, women organizations as well as members of the academia should be committed to fighting against VAW towards stamping out this dastardly act.