Factors that explain gender based-violence [sic] amongst secondary school learners in the Inanda area.

Abstract

The prevalence of gender-based violence in South African schools has been

identified by the research and the Department of Education has

acknowledged its existence. However, little has been done to alleviate the

problem. Female learners are continually victimized by male learners at

school.

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that explain gender-based

violence amongst learners from three secondary schools in the Inanda

area. Inanda is a predominantly informal settlement area on the outskirts of

Durban, in South Africa.

This study has largely focussed on female learners as victims of gender-based

violence perpetrated by male learners. Both quantitative and qualitative

methods had been adopted through which data was collected. School records

were reviewed and one perpetrator and the victim were chosen from each

school. The two participants were then, interviewed in order to get both

perspectives.

The data collected revealed that there are other kinds of gender-based

violence besides those that were identified from the records review. The

findings from the interviews outlined the factors that explain gender-based

violence in schools. In conclusion, some recommendations were made in the

light of the findings.