African Journal of Gender and Women Studies

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Violence against women and reproduction health among African women: The case of Bette women of Obudu in Cross River State, Nigeria

M. A. Ushie¹, C. V. O. Eneji², D. B. Ugal¹, O. Anyaoha, B. A. Ushie³ and J. E. Bassey⁴

¹Department of Sociology, University of Calabar, Nigeria.

²College of Humanities and Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.

³Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Adult Education and Community Development, University of Calabar, Nigeria.

Accepted 08 October, 2018

Abstract

Violence against women (VAW) is continually recognized as a global health concern yet population based studies of its determinants and consequences remain scarce in less developed areas. This study was undertaken to fill this gap, the study covered four wards of the ten political wards in Obudu using system rand sampling to obtain respondents. Quantitative instruments (questionnaire) and methods (SPSS) were adopted to generate and analyze the data. The result showed prevalence of violence against women in the study area, common factors that enhance the perpetration of violence against women and it has very serious health consequences for women. The coping strategies included among others perseverance, learning to cope among other strategies. From the following some recommendations were given as panacea to solving these problems so highlighted.

Key words: Violence, reproduction health, women abuse, reproductive decision.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The vital role played by caste and patriarchy in the emerging women leadership in the governance of local self-government of Pithoragarh and Almora district of Uttarakhand

Abhimanyu Kumar

Government P.G. College, Ranikhrt, Almora, Uttarakhand, India. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 17 October, 2018

Abstract

This paper discusses the bearing of the primordial institutions of caste and patriarchy on the emerging women’s leadership in local self- government in Uttarakhand. The state of Uttarakhand was established in the year 2000 dated 9th November. The introducing of reservation for the women in local self-government for the first time in the country, has also led to make similar provisions in the Uttarakhand panchayati raj act, 2003 following the 73rd constitution amendment in relation to panchayati raj act, 1992 in the constitution of India. This has enabled larger participation of women of deprived sections of our society in local self-governance. However, the caste and patriarchy have larger implication in the emergence and performance of women leaders at the gross root level. This paper is based on the women leaders who hail from the lower stratum of the society who are more democratic and people centered, whereas those people from the upper caste are more conservative and family centered. The lower caste women leaders outnumber their male counterparts in the panchayats which provides explanations for the presence have more than one third women elected members in panchayats. The paper is based on the fieldwork carried out in the Almora and Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand during 2003-2008.

Key words: Primordial Institution, caste, patriarchy, emergence, leadership.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Gender role and fertility behaviour among Calabar and Oban communities in Cross River State, Nigeria

M. A. Ushie¹, C. V. O. Eneji²*, A. D. Nsemo¹, K. O. Osonwa¹ and E. E. Enang¹

¹Department of Sociology, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.

²Deparment of Rural Development and Management, College of Humanities and Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.

Accepted 28 August, 2018

Abstract

Discussions on fertility behaviour and population control policies have focused exclusively on the behaviour of females, and often target women for change while disregarding the role of the males. The inability of the national population policies to address this while at the same time encouraging patriarchal family system for the stability of the home seems to support this neglect. This study thus, examined male role and other determinants of fertility behaviour in Calabar and Oban areas of Cross River State, Nigeria. It focused on type of marriage preferred, educational attainment, decision on children marriage and socioeconomic determinants as they influence marital values. A simple random technique was used to select a sample of 500 respondents from the two areas (Calabar and Oban) a well structured questionnaire was used as instrument for collecting data while descriptive statistics and percentage analysis were used to analyse the data. Findings reveal that a higher percentage of male favoured polygamy, that low educational attainment, socioeconomic and parental decision on children marriage justifies male role on fertility and marital values. It was recommended among others that adequate attention be paid to male role, if fertility control policies are to be realized; that adequate education and enlightenment be located to both the educated and non-educated populace, that child early marriage be controlled, the consents of the children to be so involved in the marriage should be taken into consideration since they are to be directly involved in this marriage adventure.

Key words: gender role, fertility behaviour, reproductive behaviour, and fertility determinants.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Socio-cultural factors that perpetuate the spread of HIV among women and girls in Keiyo District, Kenya

Georgine Jebet Kemboi¹, Kennedy Onkware¹* and Omosa Mogambi Ntabo²

¹Deparment of Peace and Conflict Studies, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya.

²Deparment of Criminology and Social Work, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya.

Accepted 09 August, 2018

Abstract 

The human immuno- deficiency virus (HIV) pandemic is still ravaging, after the first case was diagnosed more than twenty years ago. Women are disproportionally affected, in 2008/2009 HIV prevalence among women was twice as high as that for men at 8 and 4.3% respectively (NACC, 2009). The aim of the study was to investigate the socio-cultural factors and risk perceptions that pre-dispose women and girls to the spread of HIV in Keiyo district, Kenya. The study further sought to determine the adverse effects of HIV on the livelihoods of the women and girls and also assessed the contribution of the government and NGOs in taming HIV. The study targeted women and girls in reproductive age (15 to 49). Kamariny and Metkei divisions were purposely sampled for the study. Two locations were further purposely sampled from the two divisions and basing on the number of house holds in each of the locations 98 females in reproductive ages were randomly selected. The key informants including the district medical officer, divisional education officers, leaders of CBOs, women group leaders and youth group leaders were purposely sampled and interviewed. Questionnaires, interview schedules and focused group discussions were employed. Secondary data was also used to supplement the primary data. Data was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively and data presented in the form of frequency distribution tables, pie charts and graphs. In logic, assumption have in place that better- educated people have better access to information about HIV, how it is transmitted, and how it can be avoided and that inadequate or total lack of information on retrogressive socio- cultural factors perpetuating HIV spread leads to ‘knowledge gap’. The study revealed that most women beyond the ages of thirty one years have the perception that they are least at risk to HIV infection as compared to the younger females (girls). Majority of the respondents (60%) associated FGM with HIV spread. Thirty one (31%) of the respondents pointed out that FGM is a step from childhood to adulthood. Forty percent pointed out that removal of the clitoris reduces libido in a bid to prevent promiscuity and 23.5% believed that the clitoris is a source of deviant behaviour. Concerning the effect of HIV on women and girls, majority of the respondents (80.6%) admitted that HIV leads to greater burden in the household income and 77.6% of the respondents thought that HIV infection or AIDS related deaths among women leads to loss of family income. Illiteracy was rated as the highest (95%) cause of women vulnerability to HIV infection followed by Poverty and FGM at 93 and 70% respectively. The study recommends that adequate resources be availed to support the capacity of women and girls to lead change on HIV through knowledge. There should be pro active leadership to ensure that women and girls are free from physical, sexual and psychological abuse especially stemming from negative socio-cultural practices.

Key words: Female genital mutilation, human immune-deficiency virus, HIV prevance, socio-cultural.