Intimate partner violence against women of child-bearing age: An investigation of the key informants experiences in Ekiti State

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive public health issue globally. To combat this problem, nations and continents have collaborated to develop policies and legal frameworks aimed at reducing, if not eradicating, the impact of IPV on women of childbearing age. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the existing legal framework in preventing and reducing IPV. The study employed a qualitative research design. Respondents were selected using total enumeration sampling, resulting in 15 key informants of IPV laws in Ekiti State being interviewed until saturation was reached. The informants comprised police officers (40%), lawyers (40%), and social workers (20%). Semi-structured interview guides were used, and data were analysed thematically based on the explored themes. The mean age of the key informants was 48 years, and the mean year of experience was 15 years. All respondents (100%) acknowledged the existence of laws addressing IPV and reported optimal awareness among citizens. However, approximately 66% of respondents noted that enforcement of these laws was hindered by societal ideologies and underreporting by women. To prevent IPV, the study recommends women empowerment, societal enlightenment on reporting IPV, formal and informal education for adolescents on women's dignity and gender equity, recognition of key informants' roles, and the employment of whistle blowers to report IPV incidents. Key words: Intimate partner, women of child-bearing age, violence, key informants, law.