BIJED

Abstract

This study investigated the nexus among GBV, psychological welfare, and productivity among riverine women in Edo State, Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach was employed to collect data from 290 women using structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews with 30 participants. Quantitative findings reveal a high prevalence of GBV, with emotional and physical abuse being most common, significantly associated with high levels of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. GBV also substantially disrupted women’s economic activities, leading to frequent work absences and income loss. Qualitative insights highlight coping mechanisms rooted mainly in prayer and silence and considers it as a normalised tradition, coupled with limited awareness and low confidence in existing legal protections. Furthermore, the high prevalence of GBV and its devastating effects on mental health and productivity illustrate that this issue is not merely a private matter but a developmental challenge with public health, economic, and human rights implications.Thus, the study recommends the urgent need for integrated interventions encompassing community and cultural sensitization, access to mental health support, economic empowerment initiatives, and strengthened legal frameworks to address GBV’s multidimensional impact on riverine women. These findings have contributed to the growing literature on GBV in rural Nigeria and also offer policy guidance for improving women’s welfare and productivity in Nigeria.