Gender-based violence (GBV) is a major public health and human rights problem worldwide. The extent of this
problem in educational institutions has not been explored in Northern Nigeria. Using self administered
questionnaires, we determined the prevalence and risk factors for gender-based violence among 300 female
university students in Kano, Northern Nigeria. The overall prevalence of gender-based violence was 58.8% [95%
Confidence Interval (CI) = 52.9% to 64.5%]. Specifically, 22.8%, 22.2% and 50.8% of students experienced
physical, sexual or emotional violence respectively. Religious affiliation ethnicity, indigeneship, marital status,
campus residence and faculty affiliation were significant predictors of GBV. GBV awareness creation programs,
legal protection and implementation of an effective redress mechanism are recommended to curb this menace