Domestic violence against women in Birnin Kebbi: Uncovering experiences, perceptions, and social responses through a gender relations perspective

Domestic violence against women in Birnin Kebbi is a social problem associated with power inequalities, patriarchal norms, and family structures, requiring contextualized prevention and the empowerment of female victims. This study describes married women’s experiences of domestic violence, recognition of its forms, perceptions, and responses, interpreting the findings through a gender relations perspective. A descriptive quantitative survey involved 259 married women across seven wards in Birnin Kebbi. Data were collected through structured questionnaires between July and September 2024, analyzed using frequencies and percentages, and interpreted through Connell’s Theory of Gender and Power. Results show that 62.55% of respondents had experienced domestic violence. The most frequently reported forms of violence were harsh treatment by husbands, lack of regular food, and verbal abuse. Respondents also recognized child neglect, wife abuse, sexual violence, nonconsensual intercourse, and emotional abuse as domestic violence. Although 58.69% rejected cultural justifications for wife beating, some accepted them. Knowledge of protection institutions was uneven, with the district head’s palace most frequently identified as a reporting channel. Additionally, 77.22% considered children’s interests as grounds for avoiding their husbands’ imprisonment for domestic violence. These findings highlight connections between violence experiences, cultural norms, institutional access, and family considerations, indicating a need for integrated responses sensitive to social contexts and victims’ needs. This study extends the application of the Theory of Gender and Power to descriptive survey research and provides practical foundations for domestic violence education, stronger protection services, community engagement, and support tailored to local victims’ needs.