Objective Gender-based violence (GBV) is a collective term for abuse against a person with underlying issues of unequal power dynamics between men and women. This study aims to investigate GBV incidence, help-seeking behaviors, and service awareness in Ziway, Ethiopia, to inform targeted interventions.Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Melka Shallo local district in Ziway, Oromia region, Ethiopia, on women aged 15–49 years from September 2022 to December 2022 to assess the prevalence of GBV, factors associated with GBV, help-seeking behavior, and awareness of GBV support services. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were run between the experience of GBV and the knowledge of GBV support services, with independent variables.Results A total of 270 women aged 15–49 years were included, and 34.4% reported having experienced some form of GBV, with emotional violence being reported as the commonest (41.9%), followed by physical (33.3%) and sexual (24.7%)violence. Approximately 75.6% had heard of the term GBV. 58.5% were aware of GBV health services. Women earning > 2000 ETB were twice as likely to experience GBV (AOR = 2.09), while those with no formal education were less likely (AOR = 0.08). Higher-income women were 3.5 times more likely to know about GBV services.Conclusion Our study revealed that more than one-third of women in Ziway, Ethiopia, encountered various forms of GBV. Legal systems and health services should be available to victims. Regular awareness campaigns and destigmatization by community leaders should be strengthened.