Prevalence and Severity of Domestic Violence against Women and Girls during COVID-19 Pandemic in Selected Urban Areas of Harari Region and East Hararghe Zone

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of domestic violence against women and girls during COVID-19 pandemic in selected urban areas of Harari region and East Hararghe Zone of the Oromia region. A mixed research approach was used. While key informants were selected purposively, a total of 382 respondents were selected employing simple random sampling technique. Questionnaire and key informant interview were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Besides, both published and unpublished documents were consulted for secondary data. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. In addition, thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. The finding of the study revealed that domestic violence against women and girls was prevalent (about 76.2% were affected) and its severity increased at an alarming rate during the COVID-19 pandemic. The common violence increased during the pandemic was psychological and physical violence committed almost every month mainly by husbands and close relatives. Haramaya town was identified with a prevalent and sever domestic violence during the pandemic as compared to other study sites. Accordingly, the study recommends that the Women, Children, and Youth Affairs Office of the selected towns should work in collaboration with gender focal persons, judicial bodies, local communities and women/girls in creating awareness about domestic violence and taking appropriate corrective measures when it occurs. Besides, a gender special task force must be in place to effectively follow up and respond to domestic violence related issues in each town.