Cindy Kirabo2024-10-112024-10-112024-09-10https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12311/1818Undergraduate ResearchThe study examined the effect of gender based violence on women’s political participation in local governance: a case study of Mukono Central Division, Mukono District. It specifically focused on; establishing the effect of economic abuse on women’s political participation in local governance, exploring the effect of emotional abuse on women’s political participation in local governance and examining the effect of physical abuse on women’s political participation in local governance in Mukono Central Division. The study was carried out using a cross sectional survey research design where both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were also used. The data was collected using questionnaires and interviews during the data collection, both purposive and simple random sampling methods were used. A sample size of 32 respondents who are women leaders in MCD was also used in the study. The study found out that there are various forms of abuse i.e. economic, emotional, and physical significantly impede women’s political participation in Mukono Central Division. Economic abuse restricts women’s access to essential resources and undermines their decision-making power, while emotional abuse erodes their self- esteem and discourages engagement in political activities. Physical abuse creates an environment of fear and insecurity, further limiting women’s involvement in governance. Furthermore, regression statistics revealed that there every unit increase in gender-based violence, women's political participation decreases by 23.3 units implying that as gender based violence increases, it is more it becomes difficult for women to fully participate in the politics of their local governance in MCD. Lastly, the study recommended the need for implementing comprehensive financial support programs and legal protections to address economic abuse. The study also recommended the need for targeted emotional support services and counseling programs for women experiencing emotional abuse. Finally, the study recommended the need for stringent enforcement of laws against physical abuse and the establishment of robust support systems for survivors.enThesis