Rachel Small
Ms. Bennett
World Lit Honors 2 Period
23 March 2018
Domestic Abuse: A Violent Ripple
Domestic violence usually conjures up images of flying fists and bloodied faces. However, violence against women takes many more forms, including genital mutilation, child marriage, and sexual harassment (UN Women). While women around the world are affected by this violence, it is especially prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, where approximately one-third of women have reported being victims of domestic violence (Jane). Further, the impact of domestic violence goes well beyond the intended victim and creates a ripple effect throughout the community. While the roots of this problem are predominately cultural, the situation is compounded by a pervasive lack of legal protection for women in Sub-Saharan Africa, most notably in the five countries that have no legal protections for women: Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Lesotho, Mali, and Niger. (Jane)
Social norms have been in place for many years that have created a level of acceptance for
violence against women. Many traditional Sub-Saharan cultures expect women to be submissive to
and weaker than men. In 2000, the United Nations Population Fund conducted interviews in Africa
and found that the “right of the husband to beat or physically intimidate his wife was a deeply held conviction”
(Kimani). If a woman challenges that paradigm, either by becoming more educated or more financially
successful, men often respond with violence (VOX). In addition, women who are not educated or financially
successful are also subject to abuse and are expected to accept abuse as part of their lives (Christiaensen).
These social norms create a situation in which women do not have any recourse for change, either legally or
socially, in most Sub-Saharan countries (VOX).
The effects of ongoing domestic violence are extensive and profound. There are the obvious outcomes, such as physical trauma and even death. However, damage goes much further to include psychological and mental trauma for the woman, as well as her children and other family members. The fear of injury, be it by beatings, sexual misconduct, or other forms of violence, often causes women to limit their own aspirations, be they higher education or greater financial security. This fear trickles down to the children, reinforcing the cycle of abuse and degradation of women (DVPC). The economic impacts of domestic violence can not be overlooked, either. Not only do victims require medical care, but loss of work days and employment are common (DVPC). According to UN Women, “in Uganda, about 9 percent of violent incidents forced women to lose time from paid work, amounting to approximately 11 days a year.”
Domestic violence is an extraordinarily complex issue with many factors that contribute to its ongoing impact, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. While most people would agree that domestic violence is “bad”, it’s not a simple problem to solve due to deeply-rooted social norms that reinforce its acceptance. In addition, domestic violence is a broad term that describes many possible actions, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. The insidious effects of domestic violence in Sub-Saharan Africa will continue unless an orchestrated effort to end the violence is put in place.
Social norms have been in place for many years that have created a level of acceptance for
violence against women. Many traditional Sub-Saharan cultures expect women to be submissive to
and weaker than men. In 2000, the United Nations Population Fund conducted interviews in Africa
and found that the “right of the husband to beat or physically intimidate his wife was a deeply held conviction”
(Kimani). If a woman challenges that paradigm, either by becoming more educated or more financially
successful, men often respond with violence (VOX). In addition, women who are not educated or financially
successful are also subject to abuse and are expected to accept abuse as part of their lives (Christiaensen).
These social norms create a situation in which women do not have any recourse for change, either legally or
socially, in most Sub-Saharan countries (VOX).
The effects of ongoing domestic violence are extensive and profound. There are the obvious outcomes, such as physical trauma and even death. However, damage goes much further to include psychological and mental trauma for the woman, as well as her children and other family members. The fear of injury, be it by beatings, sexual misconduct, or other forms of violence, often causes women to limit their own aspirations, be they higher education or greater financial security. This fear trickles down to the children, reinforcing the cycle of abuse and degradation of women (DVPC). The economic impacts of domestic violence can not be overlooked, either. Not only do victims require medical care, but loss of work days and employment are common (DVPC). According to UN Women, “in Uganda, about 9 percent of violent incidents forced women to lose time from paid work, amounting to approximately 11 days a year.”
Domestic violence is an extraordinarily complex issue with many factors that contribute to its ongoing impact, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. While most people would agree that domestic violence is “bad”, it’s not a simple problem to solve due to deeply-rooted social norms that reinforce its acceptance. In addition, domestic violence is a broad term that describes many possible actions, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. The insidious effects of domestic violence in Sub-Saharan Africa will continue unless an orchestrated effort to end the violence is put in place.
Works Cited:
Christiaensen, Luc. “Domestic Violence and Poverty in Africa: When the Husband's
Beating Stick Is Like Butter.” Africa Can End Poverty, 18 Feb. 2016, blogs.worldbank.org/africacan/domestic-violence-and-poverty-in-africa-when-the-husbands-beating-stick-is-like-butter.
UN Women. “Consequences and Costs.” Consequences and Costs,
Kimani, Mary. “Taking on Violence against Women in Africa | Africa Renewal Online.”
United Nations, United Nations, www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/special-edition-women-2012/taking-violence-against-women-africa.
Woman Magazine, 21 July 2017, nawmagazine.com/the-true-state-of-the-state-of-womens-rights-in-africa/.
UN Women, “Facts and Figures: Ending Violence against Women.”
DVPC “What Are the Impacts?” Domestic Violence Prevention Council, 2014,
1. I really enjoyed the style of writing you used in your Introduction paragraph. Your writing really flowed throughout your entire paper.
ReplyDelete2. The degradation and abuse affecting women in Sub-Saharan Africa will continue to be an issue due to its cyclical nature and lack of prevention by authorities.
3. While abuse is very common among older, oftentimes married women, is there any similar form of abuse in young(er) girls?
Your 2nd paragraph is easily my favorite. You eloquently worded every sentence, your argument was clear, and you really captured the problem that the women are facing perfectly.
ReplyDeleteWithout intervention by the government, domestic violence will continue to happen, again and again, because of it's effects on women and their children.
How does the public feel about domestic violence? What groups specifically are fighting it?