Domestic Violence Against Women in Sub-saharan Africa

Domestic Violence Against Women in Sub-saharan Africa

Domestic violence in Africa is one of African Societies biggest faults. In such a melting pot of living, thriving cultures, how does such an atrocious quality remain an underlying similarity? 71% of women in Ethiopia reported having been beat or raped by their husband or significant other (Rainbo). The oppression and maltreatment of women persevere as culturally it remains accepted and as the justice systems do not offer their due support. 

Many of Africa’s cultural norms and values have allowed for domestic violence to flourish, unabashed. The notion that physical abuse may be used discipline is instilled from a young age in many African countries. Many teachers use corporal punishment to discipline students in the classroom (Boas). At home, many boys grow up watching their fathers beat their mothers which causes them to believe that men are supposed to abuse their wives, perpetuating a never-ending cycle of violence (Christiaensen). From childhood, the belittlement and undermindment of a woman’s value are seen as African families make clear their preference for sons over daughters (Boas). Daughters are less far likely to receive an education over sons and therefore have less opportunity to financially support themselves (Kimadi). Furthermore, some parents require their daughters to undergo various traditional practices of female genital mutilation and breast ironing are damaging to a child’s body, while not done with malintent are damaging to the body (Boas). These and other traditional practices may send the message to growing girls that their bodies are not their own to control. These cultural norms that girls are raised around set them up to grow into women with low self esteem little self worth. Wives are seen a property, often stemming from many practices that include giving a dowry or present to the bride's family in exchange for her (Alesina). This practice may give a man a sense of ownership and the belief that he is entitled to beat her should he choose. As a result of such attitudes, women raised in such cultures may feel that they “deserve” to be abused by their husbands because they are not being “good wives.” 51% of African women report that being beaten by their husbands is justified if they either “go out without permission, neglect the children, argue back, refuse to have sex, or burn the food”. Some women may feel ashamed and guilty for being abused, and as a result may feel too embarrassed to report domestic violence. 

 Many African countries do not have specific laws in place to outlaw domestic violence or prosecute perpetrators. In fact, more than one-third of African countries have laws that allow abusers to justify their acts of violence. For example, in Nigeria “a husband may lawfully beat his wife for the purpose of ‘correcting’ her, as long as the beating does not result in ‘grievous harm.’”  Furthermore until recently in Ghana, “a wife could not revoke her consent to have sex with her husband until she was legally separated or divorced from him.” Therefore, marital rape was legal in Ghana until as recently as its repeal in 2007. There is a perception that domestic disputes should not be dealt with by public law-enforcement and court systems because they are a private or family matter that along with the absence of adequate laws very much affects the probability of a successful prosecution of a domestic violence perpetrator. Women who report domestic violence to the authorities are often blamed for the abuse, taunted or humiliated, and told by the police to “go home and be a good wife.” The U.S. Department of State reports that in many African countries, “authorities are not well-trained to combat domestic violence; laws that exist to protect survivors of  domestic violence are not effectively enforced; officials are reluctant to intervene; and many governments repeatedly fail to take any action to combat violence against women.” 

Cultural norms develop slowly over time. As Heidi H Boas an attorney who provides legal representation and outreach to African immigrants and refugees in the Washington, D.C. area has written, “each culture may have its own specific barriers created by family, society, and the legal system, which significantly impact a woman’s ability and willingness to leave an abusive relationship and seek protection under the law.” Legal punishments per se may not be the solution if African society does not commence action to change defective social norms. Women who receive education are less likely to put up with abuse and more likely to seek legal help (Christiaensen). By educating women in Africa and communicating positive norms through the media the social opinion on domestic violence can gradually be changed. 

Alesina, Alberto, et al. “Violence against Women: A Cross-Cultural Analysis for Africa.” Vox EU, 25 Mar. 2016, voxeu.org/article/violence-against-women-cross-cultural-analysi.

Alberto explores the foundation of domestic violence in African countries and the history and catalysts for such behavior. This academic writing digs into the roots of domestic violence in the social opinions and norms of many sub-Saharan countries cultures. Its main points are an acceptance of domestic violence as justified, the view of women as lesser than a man and in a role of obedient wife, and economic underdevelopment. 

Boas, Heidi H. “Understanding Cultural Perspectives on Domestic Violence in African Immigrant Communities.” Expert | ENewsletter VOL. 13, Winter 2009, American Bar Association, 2009, www.americanbar.org/newsletter/publications/cdv_enewsletter_home/vol13_expert1.html.

Heidi H Boas is an attorney that uses her background and lawful skills to accumulate an extensive overview of laws in Africa regarding domestic violence. Her article draws parallels between cultural acceptance of abuse and injustice in the law system as well as lack of prosecution. It explores the different laws and justice systems of many different countries in sub-Saharan Africa, their faults, and their successes. The overall conclusion is that change must occur and laws need to be enforced. 

Christiaensen, Luc. “Domestic Violence and Poverty in Africa: When the Husband's Beating Stick Is Like Butter.” African End Poverty, The World Bank Group, 18 Feb. 2016, blogs.worldbank.org/africacan/domestic-violence-and-poverty-in-africa-when-the-husbands-beating-stick-is-like-butter.

Luc Christiaensen is a lead agriculture economist in the World Bank's Jobs Group and an honorary research fellow at the Maastricht School of Management. His take on domestic violence in Africa is that it is too commonplace. His aversion to such behavior is clear and he makes striking points about how unvalidated this behavior is in African culture. 

Kimadi, 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.

This article written by Mary Kimadi for a sector of UN Women, African Renewal discusses the widespreadness of violence against women in Africa, what it looks like and how it can be changed. It ties social acceptance, lack of prosecution and the inadequacy of the justice system in assuaging this issue back to African culture and history. It sends the message that while laws do little to change the social norms that have been in place for decades, social activism can make a huge lasting impact. 

Ilo, Stan Chu. “Tackling Violence Against Women In Africa.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 28 July 2016, www.huffingtonpost.com/stan-chu-ilo/tackling-violence-against_b_11204320.html.

Stan Chu Llo is an author for The Huffington Post, he is a published author with a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. His article outlines the core issues of violence against women in Africa, it displays how ineffective laws and government have been in stopping the issue over the last few decades. His message provides no solution but brings awareness to the issue, 

“The Epidemic of Violence against Women in Africa.” Rainbo.org, Rainbo, 13 Mar. 2018, www.rainbo.org/the-epidemic-of-violence-against-women-in-africa/.

The rainbo organization or Research Action and Information Network for the Bodily Integrity of Women is an organization that was created by African immigrants in the US. Members including Nahid Toubia and Susan Izett have contributed to the World Health Organization’s library, a very well recognized source for global issues. The articles main voice was that of advocacy, it pounded fact after fact to put the reader in a pensive state and open their eyes to the issue. It gave way for a broader understanding of the issue of violence against women in Africa.