Abstract
Gender-based violence (GBV) constitutes a pervasive human rights violation that significantly impedes women's livelihood opportunities and economic empowerment. This study examined the relationship between gender-based violence and female gender livelihood in Isingiro District, Western Uganda. The study employed a descriptive crosssectional research design utilizing mixed methods approaches. A sample of 80 respondents comprising women survivors of GBV, community leaders, local government officials, and civil society representatives was selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. Analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and thematic content analysis. The study revealed that 67.5% of female respondents experienced some form of GBV during their lifetime, with intimate partner violence being most prevalent (52.5%). Physical violence showed the strongest negative correlation with livelihood outcomes (χ² = 24.387, p < 0.01). Economic violence directly constrained women's productive activities, with 71.3% of survivors reporting reduced income-generating capacity. Psychological violence correlated significantly with limited livelihood decision-making autonomy (χ² = 18.742, p < 0.05). Sexual violence survivors demonstrated 43.8% lower agricultural productivity compared to non-survivors. GBV survivors faced multiple livelihood barriers including restricted resource access (68.8%), limited market participation (61.3%), and reduced household bargaining power (73.8%). Gender-based violence significantly undermined female livelihood security and economic empowerment in Isingiro District. GBV created cascading effects reducing women's productive capacity, restricting resource control, limiting market participation, and perpetuating poverty cycles. The intersection of patriarchal norms, economic dependency, and institutional inadequacies sustained GBV prevalence and constrained survivors' livelihood recovery. The Government of Uganda should strengthen GBV prevention and response mechanisms through adequately resourced protection services, accessible justice systems, and economic empowerment programs targeting survivors. Community-based interventions addressing harmful gender norms and promoting women's economic rights should be prioritized. Multi-sectoral coordination among health, justice, social services, and economic development agencies should be enhanced to provide comprehensive support enabling survivors' livelihood restoration.
Keywords
Gender-based violence, female livelihood, economic empowerment, Isingiro District, intimate partner violence, Uganda