Gender-based violence in sub-Saharan Africa: a review of Demographic and Health Survey findings and their use in national planning.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive human rights issue with public health consequences. It often goes unrecognized and unreported is accepted as part of the nature of things and is shrouded in a culture of silence. Although reliable data on the prevalence of the various forms of GBV remains scarce the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) program has been contributing to the growing body of evidence on one important aspect of GBV by providing national level population-based data on the prevalence risk factors and consequences of domestic violence experienced by women. The main purposes of this desk review are to: (1) Assess the levels of domestic violence in sub-Saharan Africa by critically reviewing the findings from available comparable national DHS reports; and (2) Examine whether the evidence generated by these DHS findings has been used to inform policies and programs as reflected in the country growth and development strategies such as the first and second generation Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs).