Reducing gender-based violence : an action research among Zimbabwean youth

Gender-based violence is an issue with high global concern. Research has principally focused on the adult population’s responses to existing definitions of violence, particularly gender-based violence in the search for effective and sustainable violence prevention strategies. Few studies have examined how young people themselves define violence and the aspects that lead to their acceptance and application of violence. This doctoral thesis reports on the findings derived as part of an action research conducted in two secondary schools in Zimbabwe, urban and rural respectively, with young people between the ages of 14-18 years. The study examined young people’s attitudes towards gender-based violence and their tolerance towards it, in an effort to engage youth in proactive strategies in preventing gender-based violence and empower them to be actively involved in developing an environment free from violence for themselves as well as their peers. The study involved questionnaires and focus group discussions, a subsequent prevention intervention and an evaluation of the intervention implemented in their schools using questionnaires and focus group discussions. The study revealed that gender roles, norms and stereotypes form a corpus of aptitudes of what violence involves and the tolerance surrounding violence. Particular forms of violence were identified as gender-based violence and also their level of acceptability. Young people’s perceptions and attitudes where constructed by gender socialisation and what they believed to be normal gender behaviour. The evaluation revealed that there was need for more gender-based violence prevention education interventions in schools.