Socioeconomic Status and Gender Based Violence in Mogadishu, Somalia

ABSTRACT This study investigated the influence of socioeconomic status and gender-based violence in Mogadishu, Somalia. the study was guided by the following research objectives: i) to establish the most prevailing forms of gender based violence in Mogadishu, Somalia; ii) to examine how income, education, and occupation perpetuates gender based violence in Mogadishu, Somalia; and iii) to establish specific and relevant strategies that would help combat gender violence in Mogadishu, Somalia. The study employed qualitative approach and the research instmments were interview guide and focus group discussions. The target population was 204 pmticipants; however, Data was analysed using manual coding of transcripts. The study established that the most common form of gender based violence in Mogadishu was rape, thought the prevalence of FGM and domestic violence was also evident. The study also revealed that socio-economic status such as income, education and occupation has a great influence on gender based violence. Fu1thermore, the study suggested the following strategies to curb gender based violence in Somalia: strengthening the police and the judiciary, educating the masses on FGM, prioritizing the education of the girl child, and involving the participation of culhtral, religious and political leaders in the fight against gender based violence in Mogadishu, Somalia. The study concludes that gender based violence affects the physical and mental integrity of women and deprives them the equal enjoyment, exercise, and knowledge of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The study recommended that: the need to strengthen the police and the judiciary to handle the cases of gender based violence such as rape. The need for financial institutions to come on board and provide microfinance loans to the local masses and train them on business ventures so as to eliminate the wide spread of poverty and increase the income level of Somalis and the need to promote girl child education in Somalia. This is because girls who attend school become educated women and, in tum, contribute in human and economic terms to society in a way that goes far beyond their capacity for child bearing and domestic work.