Gender-based violence (GBV) is undoubtedly one of the most common forms of violence in the world. Recent multi-country studies, using a common methodology and definitions, have found high prevalence of physical and sexual violence against women by intimate male partners. GBV acts at household level include; beating, stabbing, burning, murder, wife inheritance among others (physical abuse); forced sex (sexual abuse); threats of abandonment or abuse, confinement to the home and threats to take away custody of the children (psychological abuse); denial of funds, denial of food and basic needs, and controlling access to health care, employment to mention but a few (economic violence).The objective of this study was to explore and describe the relationship between GBV and women participation in development programs especially at household levels in Nyakinama Sub County, Kisoro district using a sample size of 50 respondents. This study was purposive by design. It involved a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods, where the quantitative method involved the use of questionnaires and qualitative method involved the use of interviews and focus group discussions. The study found imbalances of power in gender inequality and discriminatory patriarchal practices against women to be root causes of GBV, where patriarchal attitudes often favor men over women. The study found out that GBV has negative impacts on the household’s wellbeing. Household productivity in terms of food reduces and the survivors can lose jobs whose end result is increased poverty characterized through isolation, vulnerability, powerlessness and physical weakness of the survivors but also GBV perpetrators. Some of the direct costs include treatment and support for abused women and bringing perpetrators to trial and the indirect costs include days of work lost (by both the abused and the abuser).The study recommended that preventing the recurrence of violence and mitigating its consequences are essential to any comprehensive effort to reduce GBV. Such responses must involve multiple sectors in the community, from law and justice to education and health.