Gender-Based Violence and Access to Education: An Empirical Analysis for Women in Koinadugu District in Sierra Leone

Abstract: The study explored gender-based violence (GBV) consequences on women economic empowerment within Sierra Leone. Koinadugu District, in particular, has reported many cases of GBV in the decade running between 2010 and 2022, the cases are immense. The aim of this study examined the effects of gender-based violence on the women access to education. This investigation was guided by ecological theory and a descriptive survey design. Using questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews to collect data, the results are based on achieved response of a group of 40 women, 2 chiefs and 2 officers in charge of children protection unit and 3 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) staff. Study findings indicate that there was notable impact of GBV on women’s access to education in Koinadugu District. Cases of school dropout because of teenage pregnancies, early marriage, child labour and giving preference to boys in education were some of the outstanding findings. This study recommends that the empowerment of women will reduce the unequal power relationship between women and men which has been identified as the root cause of GBV.