Violence against women and girls continues to be a global epidemic that kills, tortures, and injures physically, psychologically, sexually, and economically. It is one of the most pervasive of human rights violations, denying women and girl"s equality, security, dignity, self-worth, and their right to enjoy fundamental freedoms. The study was guided by the following objectives; the first objective was to explore the causes of gender-based violence and how they affect women"s lives, the second

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... jectives is to investigate the socio-cultural factors that accelerate the increase and institutionalization of violence against women and the third objectives is to explore government efforts in reducing inequality and violence against women and girls in Puntland. This study was conducted through a descriptive survey research design by using both quantitative and qualitative research methods in two-parts: A questionnaire and key informant interviews (KIIs) for collecting data and from selected respondents. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. The study utilized snowball and purposive sampling to select a population sample size of 133. The study utilized Mean, Standard deviation and percentages; tables. In addition to that, data collection was analyzed using themes and explanations. The study revealed the women are not aware about the fact that their rights are being violated and that majority of the perpetrators are men and boys. Most incidences of violence occur due to patriarchal tendencies in the African societies, which fuel the believe that women must be disciplined. Other factors revealed in the study include Alcohol and drug use, Individual /Group Interest, discriminatory Culture, Weak state judicial institutions and depending on Traditional justice systems and Socio-cultural factors. The study further showed that government efforts to control violence against women exist in the Puntland as a whole, although with many weaknesses. Records showed that many women h [...]