In recent times, Nigeria has experienced a growing and disturbing trend of domestic violence against women.
In simple terms, domestic violence can be described as the misuse of power by one adult in a relationship to control another. It is also the establishment of fear in a relationship through violence and other forms of abuse.
This violence can take the form of physical assault, psychological, social and financial abuse; it could also be in the form of sexual assault.
Research reveals that there is a preponderance of domestic violence cases especially in underdeveloped countries. This is shallow and bestial mentality of abusing the rights of women have been a major concern to the international community.
Women are at the receiving end of the major cases of abuse in Nigeria. Amongst all the forms of abuse, physical and sexual abuse seems to top the chart in our dear country.
According to World Health Organisation ( WHO ), there is an alarming population of women who had or are experiencing physical or sexual violence or both by an intimate partner. This shows how much women are being abused in a relationship by their male counterparts.
In a patriarchal society like ours, domestic abuses and sufferings are sometimes tolerated and pandered as being part of the things to expect in a marriage.
Truth be told, women are vulnerable, soft, fragile and in most cases not as strong as the man (physically); this puts them in a position to be exploited.
Husbands who batter their wives are obviously sick and should either get a temporary or permanent accommodation in a psychiatric centre. They sometimes feel that they are exercising their manly rights, maintaining good order in the family and punishing their wives…phew! Such an overrated sense of masculinity!
Domestic violence does not only cause physical injuries but also leaves its victim(s) with imprints of enduring emotional torture. Although physical injuries can be seen and maybe treated, however, the extent of emotional wounds can only be imagined.
Recently, the rate of depression and tendencies for suicide has been on the increase among youths and teenagers, especially of the female gender. Domestic abuse affects them academically, physically, psychologically and emotionally.
Children who fall victim of domestic violence may develop serious emotional, behavioural, or academic problems. They are more likely to use violence in response to threats; they attempt suicide, abuse drugs, prone to committing crimes etc. Eventually, if they are not helped, they might turn out to be abusers in the future.
Women are not just another item in the kitchen or the “other room”. They have as much right to education and ambition as much as their male counterparts. The common labeling and tagging of the girl-child as a weaker vessel must be eschewed for us as a people to make significant progress.
Around the world, women have begun to awaking to their full potentials. We now see women presidents and heads of parastatals and organisations.
