Abstract:
The main objective of this study was to explore the causes, consequences and coping mechanisms of
gender-based violence against female house maids in Bahir Dar City. The study was used phenomenology
design to gather data from lived experiences of violated female house maids. Participants of the study
were 8 female house maids who experienced gender-based violence in the city. Among the nonprobable
sampling
method,
snowball
sampling
technique
was used
to select
participants.
In-depth
interview was used to collect data from eight participants. Data were analyzed qualitatively
through narrative approach by paraphrasing and quoting. The findings indicate that female
house maids in Bahir Dar city face different forms of challenges through social, economic and
employer factors. Some of house maids face challenges worse than their cause of migration.
These challenges lead to severe consequences of Gender Based Violence towards house maids
which includes economical, physical, psychological and health problems. In terms of coping with
these problems, house maids used various mechanisms to handle the situation which contains
having resilience, social networks and legal bodies. This study shows that GBV experienced by
female house maids stands from absence of specific regulations and proclamations about rights
of house maids so, government should announce new and detail proclamation about house
maids’ rights. Under women and children bureau, the government should establish structure
which handles house maids’ issues. Also providing counseling and other social supports by
governmental and non-governmental organizations help house maids to cope and to have
resilience towards the violence.