Determinants of Gender-based Violence in Public Transport: A Case of Women experiences in 'Boda Boda' Public Transportation in Kilelwet Sub-location, Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

Gender violence is a common occurrence both locally and globally. Although it occurs in many spheres of life, most studies have focused on domestic violence. The aim of this study was therefore to establish the factors that determine gender violence experiences of women using public transport specifically in the ‘boda boda’ public transport in Kilelwet Sub-Location of Nakuru County Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to: establish the influence of women characteristics; investigate the influence of cultural constructions on gender violence against women using ‘boda boda’ public transport in Kilelwet Sub-Location of Nakuru County Kenya and evaluate the measures in place to address gender violence against women using ‘boda boda’ public transport within the study area. The study was guided by the violence triangle theory, the social-ecological model, and the cultural feminism theory. It incorporated the descriptive research design in the collection and analysis of data. The target population was comprised of 920 women who rely on ‘boda boda’ transport within the study area. From this population, a sample of 90 female ‘boda boda users were selected using the systematic sampling method that entailed picking every 10th female customer from boda boda boarding stations until the desired sample size was attained. All the three ‘boda boda’ transport administrators and the Area assistant Chief were included in the study. Both quantitative and Qualitative approaches were applied in both data collection and analysis. Findings of the study revealed that incidents of gender violence against female ‘boda boda’ users are quite prevalent with 63% of the respondents reporting having experienced some kind of violence. The most common type of violence was offensive verbal comments and staring. Education level, occupation, and the frequency of ‘boda boda’ use were the women characteristics that significantly determined the gender violence experiences of the female ‘boda boda’ users in Kilelwet Sub-Location. The experience of gender violence was also shaped by cultural construction mainly the operators traditional beliefs regarding women dressing and role that they ought to play in the society. Lastly, the study established that most preventive measures in place did not have major impact on women experiences of gender violence. Only the clients’ diligence and road lighting had a significant impact. Based on these findings, the study recommends that policy makers should create awareness programmes that targets women using boda boda public transport in order to protect them from gender violence they normally encounter while using boda boda. There should also be training that focuses on changing ‘boda boda’ operators’ stereotypes on gender issues.