Gender-based violence against persons with visual impairment and their coping strategies in Kumasi metropolis, Ghana

Abstract

Gender-based violence has profound effect on persons with disability; especially the visually impaired, as records showed that such victims barely report gender-based violence to the police. Persons with visual impairment who suffer from gender-based violence are at risk of sexual transmitted infection and psychological distress. The study was conducted to find out the type and perpetrators of gender-based violence experienced by visually impaired persons, the coping strategies adopted by visually impaired persons who experienced gender-based violence, the roles of police in handling gender-based violence against the visually impaired and effects of gender-based violence on persons with visual impairment. The study selected 15 visually impaired person respondents. Snowballing sampling was employed in the study. Interview guide was the main tool used to collect qualitative data from the respondents. Thematic approach was used to analyze the results. The study found that visually impaired persons experience physical, psychological and sexual violence in marital unions within the study area. It was concluded that most perpetrators of gender-based violence were mostly relatives and husbands of victims. It was concluded that gender-based violence has effects on visually impaired women and that visually impaired women who are battered were at greater risk for suicide attempts, injury, lack of love and trust in marriages and marital break down, genital injuries, unwanted pregnancy and abortion. It was however suggested that gender-based violence could be curbed if there were counselors and therapists to educate couple on its effects, implementation of laws and punishment for perpetrators of gender-based violence.