How Domestic Abuse Harms African Women’s Health
Chika Jones RN, RM, RPHN, BNSc. Freelance writer and Datelinehealth Africa (DLHA) volunteer. Reviewed by the DLHA Editorial Team.
Domestic abuse is a shadow pandemic that plagues African women; as Africa has the highest case of violence globally. [1]
Domestic abuse is oftentimes interchangeably referred to as domestic violence or intimate partner violence (IPV). [2] It involves abuse by one's spouse, family, friends or anyone that the abuser has a personal relationship with.
Domestic abuse is defined as a series or patterns of actions and behaviours that are used to gain control and power over an intimate partner. [2] It affects African women regardless of their age, social status, religion, or educational qualification. Children of abused women may also suffer abuse in the hands of the abuser. The harmful health effects of domestic abuse can be immediate or long term with devastating consequences if overlooked.
This article explores the harmful effects of domestic abuse on African women's health and recommends various ways it can be curbed.
Domestic Abuse has various forms, which can occur simultaneously. The common forms of domestic abuse globally and in Africa include: [3]
When you’re well aware of the different types of domestic abuse, you are able to identify them when they occur to you or a loved one and you can be better informed to find solutions to curb them.
A young Africa woman with physical injuries to her face and head from Intimate Partner Violence. Credit: AHO
This involves the use of harm, violence, power, or physical force to intimidate a partner or family member. It is readily recognised as it causes visible body injuries. [4] Few examples of physical domestic abuse are hitting, punching, slapping, using objects, biting to mention but a few.
This type of abuse is not easy to identify. Psychological and emotional abuse occurs when the abuser uses words and non-physical actions to inflict harm on the victim. It targets the woman's emotional and mental well-being. It includes manipulation, isolation, intimidation, gaslighting and controlling behaviours.
Isolation is a common tactic used by abusers to gain coercive control over their intimate partner. [5] It occurs when the intimate partner weakens the woman's social interaction with her family and friends. [6] It can deteriorate the woman's mental health and well-being if continued over an extended period of time.
Gaslighting is another type of emotional abuse that abusers use to manipulate their intimate partner into questioning their own memory and reality. It is used to gain power and control over someone.
When a woman is forced to partake in sexual acts with her partner without her consent, sexual abuse has occurred, but it is not limited to only this. Sexual abuse also involves forcing a woman to have sex with other partners, denying contraception or protection from sexually transmitted diseases, etc.
This involves rendering a woman financially dependent on her spouse or partner. It involves withholding money, forbidding a woman access to employment to gain her own independent income, and exercising absolute control over a woman’s income. It is a coercive control used by the abuser to control the victim’s life and freedom by money.
Studies have highlighted factors that promote domestic abuse. These include:
Cultural factors are major reasons why domestic abuse is prevalent in Africa . [7] This is due to the cultural norms and patriarchy system that limit African women.
African people consider the male child far superior than the female child, as the male child is perceived to continue the family lineage and provide for the family. [8] However, in the current era, the roles can be reversed as some African women earn more than their male partners. This reversal of roles, where some African women are the family breadwinners instead of their male partners, causes frustration and can lead to domestic abuse in any form. [9]
Some communities view domestic abuse as a sign of male authority and that African women must be loyal to their culture. Women face stigma and discrimination should they speak up for themselves. This makes it harder for African women to break free from domestic abuse.
Due to the prevalence of domestic abuse globally, there are laws put in place to protect women who are victims. But it is one thing to have the law and another to uphold it.
Africa consists of 54 countries, 17 of which do not have laws against domestic abuse to protect African women. In those 17 countries, domestic abuse is not considered a crime and the abuser is likely to get away with it. Though 37 African countries have laws that address domestic abuse, some are partial, while others are comprehensive laws [10].
Comprehensive domestic abuse laws protect African women from all types of domestic abuse including physical, emotional and economic violence [10]. Partial laws focus on specific areas. These laws tend to have gaps and loopholes. [11] This leaves African women vulnerable to abuse with no hope for legal action against their abusers.
Gender inequality occurs when people are discriminated against for opportunities based on their gender. In Africa, men are culturally considered as the breadwinner and superior to women. African women are seen to only take care of the household. Men who are unable to fulfill their roles as breadwinner develop an inferiority complex, causing them to resort to domestic abuse against women.
In some African communities, the woman might be blamed for being abused. She might be told she talked too much or she did something to offend her partner, hence the reason for the abuse. These are harmful stereotypes used to condone domestic abuse in households. A high proportion of women rationalize and self-justify domestic abuse based on the circumstances. [11]
Domestic abuse can cause short or long term harmful health effects as follows.
Physical injuries are one of the biggest consequences of domestic abuse on African women’s health.
Harmful physical health consequences of domestic abuse [12] consist of but are not limited to:
Abused African women face an increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. [13] Studies report that abused women are three times more likely to contract HIV/AIDS; due to sexual abuse African women face in their household. [14]
You can learn more about HIV/AIDS and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa.
Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community. [15] Domestic abuse affects the emotional well-being of African women. When they have been subjected to emotional and psychological abuse; their mental health can deteriorate.
Domestic abuse has numerous mental health consequences [16] that include:
African women that face domestic abuse encounter social isolation, discrimination and stigmatisation should they divorce. In some parts of Africa it is considered a taboo for a woman to divorce as it would bring shame to the family and their culture. [17] This predisposes her to physical and mental health consequences of domestic abuse.
Different stakeholders in society like, individuals, families, community leaders, legislators, justice system, healthcare professionals and more, have roles to play in curbing the harmful effects of domestic abuse on African women. We shall discuss further on the roles.
This is a step everyone can take to reduce domestic abuse faced by African women. African women must be educated on how to recognise the different types of domestic abuse and know the rights that they have under the laws and norms of their environment. They must also learn to be confident, seek help early and not normalize abuse of any type.
The healthcare sector plays an essential role in identifying and responding to domestic abuse. It can help to identify abuse early, give abused women appropriate treatment and refer women to informed care. [18]
Health care workers are the first point of contact for victims of abuse. They must provide a safe space for victims to discuss; document incidents of injuries vital for legal proceedings, and educate patients on domestic abuse, its impact on health and the resources available to assist them. [19]
To aid African women’s freedom from domestic abuse they must have access to dedicated legal aid services. This supports them to seek help and gain justice for themselves.
Domestic abuse is a social and political problem which can be addressed through creating and implementing comprehensive laws. The laws must be upheld and law enforcement agencies must be strengthened to achieve it.
Domestic abuse is a silent plague that affects African women regardless of their social status and economic background. To curb domestic abuse of African women in Africa, its types, consequences, as well as factors that promote it must be brought to light through population level awareness raising and education. In addition comprehensive and enforceable laws are needed to protect the human rights of women before and after they become victims. Everyone in African societies, from individuals, families, community leaders, schools, law enforcement and justice system, legislators and political actors, etc., have roles to play in curbing domestic abuse and its devastating effects on African women’s physical, mental and socio-economic health.
Take action today to curb the menace of domestic abuse and its harmful consequences on African women’s health.
References:
1. Muluneh MD, Stulz V, Francis L, Agho KL. Gender-based Violence against Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cross-Sectional Studies. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2020;17(3):903. Doi: 10.3390/ijerph17030903. Available from here.
2. United Nations. What Is Domestic Abuse? [Internet, n.d.]. Cited November 24, 2024. Available from here.
3.Anikwe CC, Umeononihu OS, Anikwe IH, Ikeoha CC, Eleje GU, Ewah RL, Okorochukwu BC, Nwokoye BI, Ogah CO, Chigozie OF. Burden of Intimate Partner Violence among Nurses and Nursing Students in a Tertiary Hospital in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. SAGE Open Nursing, 2021; 7. doi:10.1177/23779608211052356. Available from here
4. Women’s Aid. I’m not sure if my relationship is healthy – [Internet, n.d.]. Cited November 24, 2024. Available from here.
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6. Netto L, Moura M, Queiroz A, Leite F, Silva G. Isolation of women in situation of violence by intimate partner: a social network condition. Escola Anna Nery - Revista de Enfermagem. 2017;21. 10.5935/1414-8145.20170007. Available from here.
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8. Orisaremi TC, Alubo O. Gender and the reproductive rights of Tarok females in central Nigeria. African Journal of Reproductive Health . 2012;16(1):83–96. Abstract available from here.
9. Sepeng NV, Moloko-Phiri SS, Mulaudzi FM. The role of patriarchy and its influences on domestic violence against females and children in Africa: An indigenous perspective. In: Mulaudzi FM, Lebese RT, editors. Working with indigenous knowledge: Strategies for health professionals [Internet]. Cape Town: AOSIS; 2022. Chapter 12. doi: 10.4102/aosis.2022.BK296.012. Available from here.
10. Onyema,V., How Domestic Violence Laws Impact Women’s Rights in Africa. [Internet] 2023, December 22. Documentwomen.com. Cited Nov. 24, 2024. Available from here.
11. Xu D. The wording matters: Gender equality laws and women’s attitudes towards domestic violence in Africa. Social Science & Medicine, 2024;345, 116668. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116668. Available from here.
12. Alejo K. Long-Term Physical and Mental Health Effects of Domestic Violence. Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science, 2014;2(1):Iss1, Article 5. doi: 10.31979/themis.2014.0205. Abstract available from here.
13. Johnson PJ, Hellerstedt WL. Current or Past Physical or Sexual Abuse as a Risk Marker for Sexually Transmitted Disease in Pregnant Women. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2002;34(2), 62. Abstract available from here.
14.UNAIDS. Women, Girls and HIV Fact Sheet [Internet].Geneva: UNAIDS, 2010. [Cited Nove. 24, 2024. Available from here.
15. World Health Organization. Mental health. [Internet]. June 17, 2022. [Cited Nov.24, 2024]. Available from here.
16. Karakurt G, Smith D, Whiting J. Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Women’s Mental Health. Journal of Family Violence, 2014;(7), 693–702. doi: 10.1007/s10896-014-9633-2. Abstract available from here.
17. Ugwuanyi B, Zbigniew FS. Psychological effects of divorce on Nigerian women. Sapientia Found. J. Ed. Sci. Gen. Stud. 2023; 5(4),111-118. Available from here.
18. African Health Organization. Violence against women programme [Internet, n.d.].. Cited Nov. 24, 2024. Available from here.
19.Wagwula PM, Ofe AC, Ukanwole CC, Afi EO, Nwigene CC, Essien EA. Strengthening domestic violence prevention in Nigeria: A call to action. Cross River Journal of Medicine. 2024;3(1). 1-7. Doi: 10.5455/CRJMED.181803. Available from here.
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Published: January 17, 2025
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