Gender Based Violence Against Women: Implications for Family Well- Being in Nsukka L.G.A

The study focuses on violence against women in Nsukka local government area of Enugu state and implications on family wellbeing. The study sought answers to three research questions, these include: To identify different dimensions of violence against women, to identify major causes of violence against women, to determine ways of preventing violence against women. Survey research design was used for the study. The population for the study comprised of 60 females who were victims of gender-based violence in the study area. Questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. Frequency, percentage and Mean were used for analyzing the data collected. Findings show that violence against women has had consequences on victims. Different dimensions of violence, such as wife beating with mean of S«= 3.78, rape = 3.63, sexual abuse S«= 3.63, and infidelity on the part of the male S«=3.45 were identified from the study. Causes of gender- based violence against women shows that illiteracy on the part of male 3.30, alcohol/drug addiction S«= 3.25 and the woman’s status S«= 3.20 among others were the major causes. Measures to be adopted towards the prevention of violence against women shows that women and girls should be educated on their rights 3.62, perpetrators should be arrested and punished with grievous penalty, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO)s should intervene. The study recommended inter alia; that government and NGOs should support and organize seminars to educate the public on the ills of all forms of violence against women. Government should enact and/or reinforce penalty, civil, labor and administrative sanctions in legislations to punish and redress, any act of violence done to women, whether in the home, workplace, community or society. The family should be at the fore front in inculcating the right values to their member and on the need for equal treatment of everybody not minding their gender. Government must be consistent in executing program aimed at eradicating any act of violence against women.