Abstract:
Understanding of women’s attitude toward Gender Based Violence (GBV) against
Women in the context of LAS is crucial for effective utilization of the service and
prevention strategies. Thus this study examines attitude of women towards GBV
against women with regards to their involvement in Legal Aid Services (LAS)
interventions in Morogoro Rural and Kongwa districts. Quantitative data were
collected using a structured questionnaire while qualitative data from KIIs and FGDs
were collected using interview guides. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses
were done using SPSS. A Likert scale was used to measure attitude of women towards
GBV against women. Mann Whitney U test was used to determine differences in
women’s attitude towards GBV against women in relation to LASs between LAS
beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. Also, ordinal logistic regression was employed to
determine the effects of LAS intervention on attitude of women towards GBV against
women. Overall, 58.3% of the women had negative attitude towards GBV against
women, while 32.9% of the women had positive attitude. Generally, the attitude
towards GBV against women was statistically different (p < 0.05) between beneficiaries
and non-beneficiaries of LAS interventions. Involvement of women in LAS
interventions and ethnic background were found to be stronger predictors of attitude of
women towards GBV against women. It is recommended that LAS providers should
arrange more sensitization campaigns and education sessions on human and women’s
legal rights. The campaign should involve all communities focusing on raising
awareness about existing myths fuelling GBV against women based on cultural
background.
