Alcohol, poverty major causes of domestic violence-Day 1
Nov 25, 2014
16 Days of activism against domestic violence-Day 1
By Stella Naigino
When Betty Kampi got married, the issue of violence in her marriage did not cross her mind. She loved her husband so
much that all his friends wished they had wives as good as her. However, when she gave birth to her first child, her marriage took another direction. Her husband started accusing her of being disrespectful because she was working.
“He accused me of infidelity and since I wanted peace in my home, I quit my job just to please my husband,” says Kampi. Little did she know this was the beginning of her troubles. She says his behaviour worsened and she started beating
her and the children. To date they are still married but dealing with the dilemma of domestic violence in their home.
Tina Musuya, the executive director, of Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention says domestic violence involves abuse by one person against another in a domestic context, such as in marriage or cohabitation.
She says it can be physical, emotional, verbal, economic and sexual abuse which includes marital rape.
Musuya notes that globally, a wife or female partner is more commonly the victim of domestic violence, though the victim can also be the male partner, or both partners may engage in abusive or violent behaviour.
Causes
Musuya explains that abusers may feel the need to control their partner because of low self-esteem, extreme jealousy, difficulties in regulating anger and other strong emotions.
“When, they feel inferior to the other partner in education and socioeconomic background, some men with very traditional beliefs may think they have the right to control women,” says Musuya. She adds that alcohol and other chemical substances may contribute to violent behaviour.
She reports that in a study carried out in September, 42% of the respondents said alcoholism was the leading cause of domestic violence, followed by poverty at 34%.
Musuyi states that in the same study, respondents attributed the cause of domestic violence to adultery and lack of respect for one another.
According to a Uganda Law Reform Commission Report, 66% of the respondents reported experiences of domestic violence.
Police reports also indicate that 14% of men report having suffered domestic violence, although many are believed to be violated but decide to live in denial.
Impact
Studies suggest that abusers learn violent behaviour from their family, people in their community and other cultural influences as they grow up.
“They may have seen violence often or they may have been victims themselves. They imagine it is the order of the day hence they carry it on to their families and community,” explains Patricia Bahiiha the director, Forum for Women in Development.
She says domestic violence makes children leave in fear. They fear to talk because they think what they say might trigger the abuse.
Government intervention
Musuyi says the Government has initiated policies against domestic violence and encouraged the victims to speak out.
“Platforms have been put up where both men and women can report domestic violence, “says Musuyi.
Sensitisation about domestic violence is being carried out and abusers are dealt with through the law which is meant to act as a deterrent to the rest, she says.
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Background
The Global Campaign of Activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV) is commemorated internationally every year for 16 days during the Period starting 25th November; the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against women and 10th December, the International Human Rights Day. These dates symbolically link Gender-Based Violence and human
rights. They emphasize that such violence is a violation of human nghts.tails
Message from the UN Resident Coordinator occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - MS AHUNNA EZIAKONWA-ONOCHIE
Message of UN Women Executive Director on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 25 November 2014 MS. PHUMZILE MLAMBO-NGCUKA
