INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN FOFA VILLAGE OF YEM SPECIAL DISTRICT: EXPERIENCES AND COPING MECHANISMS OF WOMEN SURVIVORS

Abstract

Intimate partner violence against women is physical, psychological, economic and social violence perpetrated by current or former husbands against women. Intimate partner violence occurs in all areas and transcends social, economic and geographical boundaries. Women in Yem special district also face different forms of violence in the hands of their husbands.The aim of this study was to assess and understand the lived experiences of women victims of intimate partner violence in Yem Special District Fofa village. It explores the social, psychological, economic and social problems experienced by women survivors of intimate partner violence. It also describes the various coping mechanisms used by these women survivors to deal with the social, economic, psychological and economic problems they encounter in the hands of their former or current partner The study used exploratory and descriptive research designs and explored the lived experiences of women survivors of intimate partner violence in Yem Special District Fofa village. The study used various data gathering tools including in-depth interview and focus group discussions. An in-depth interview was carried out with ten women survivors and two focus group discussions were conducted with ten study participants to qualify the study findings.The findings of the study indicate that survivors of intimate partner violence experience a combination of psychological, economic, social and psychosocial problems as a result of the abuse by their husband. It also reviled that women experience the different forms of violence irrespective of the economic and educational background. The study also confirmed that although mostly the physical violence is seen as far worse than emotional abuse, the study findings confirm that women experiences of emotional abuse are the worst. Furthermore, the study identified various techniques or strategies used by women survivors to deal with the violence that they encounter in the hands of their husband. Some of them include fighting back, discussing with close friends and families, reporting to responsible bodies, getting elderly advice, and fleeing. The study also discussed the support available for victims of violence by various service providers and the perception of victims towards this support.