Factors that Contribute to Gender-Based Violence of Girls and Young Women in Abia State: Social Work Implication

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) encompasses harmful acts perpetrated against the will of an individual, based on gender norms and unequal power dynamics within society. This study explored factors contributing to sexual and gender-based violence against girls and young women in Abia State. 431 girls and young women age 18-35 years across the three senatorial districts of Abia state were selected through simple random sampling for the study. A structure questionnaire titled “Factors Contributing to Sexual and Gender Based Violence among Girls and Young Women Questionnaire (FCSGBVGYWQ) was used for data collection. Data analysis was done using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study revealed that poverty, cultural practices and traditional beliefs, weak law enforcement and substance abuse contribute significantly to sexual and gender-based violence against girls and young women. These findings have serious implications for social work practice in N Poverty, Sexual and gender-based violence, social work, Traditional practice and VAPP act igeria; the most important being the need for social workers to engage in massive enlightenment campaign and engage with relevant stakeholder a safe and stable environment for girls and young women to develop.