A Gender-based abuse against married men in Olorunda Local Government of Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Very little is known about the actual number of men who are in domestic relationship in which they are
abused or treated violently by women especially in a developing country like Nigeria. Globally, at least one in
six men has experienced some form of gender-based abuse during his lifetime. Men and boys who have
experienced physical, sexual or psychological violence suffer a range of health problem, often in silence.
This study aims to determine the perception, existence and experience of domestic violence against men
among married men in Olorunda Local Government Area, Osun state. It was a descriptive cross-sectional
survey with 211 married men selected by multi-stage sampling technique using semi-structured
questionnaire. Only 16 (7.6%) have ever heard about the term “Violence against Men” while 109 (51.7%) have
heard of the term “Violence against Women”. Verbal abuse is the commonest form (82%), though physical
and sexual forms were also present. About a third experienced intolerable form of violence, more than 60%
did not report the incident. Polygamy, educational status and consumption of alcohol by either or both
partners were significant determinants of behaviour. Public enlightenment as well as advocacy by
governmental and non-governmental organizations is a necessary strategy to improve report and control this
menace in the society