ATTITUDE OF MARKET MEN TOWARDS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: A STUDY OF MARKETS IN ABOH MBAISE

Abstract

The phenomenon of gender-based violence against women keeps on increasing in such a way that every free thinker wonders the effectiveness of avalanche of campaigns against the scourge. The negative effect of such violence is not only felt on women but also their families, the community and the country at large. Hence, the study intends to examine the attitude of market men towards violence against women. This research attained the objective through broad study of related literature, coupled with the collection and analysis of empirical data. The researchers adopted descriptive survey, using primary data collected from market men at eight major markets in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area. The findings showed amongst others that majority of literate market men from high socio-economic status support the need to fight violence against women in our society, and the call for intensifying public information campaigns for such ill behavior adjustment since man is not born with a given attitude rather it is learnt. Based on the findings, the study concludes that certain social support being given to some man’s actions over women need to be redressed in order to eradicate gender-based violence against women. Therefore, it is recommended amongst others that there is need to integrate sundry public information media with major agents of socialization such as families, schools. Churches, etcetera in sensitizing both men and women the dangers inherent in violence against women.