Why women are still subjugated to different abuses and ill treatments

Abuse against Women is a grave injustice and violation of Human Rights and fundamental freedoms of women because women are entitled to equal rights, opportunities, protection and most important of all, Justice.

I’m not in any way saying that men don’t get abused by women, they do, but the percentage of women being abused in the society globally is higher, and it keeps increasing on a daily basis.

Of all basic human rights and fundamental freedoms, eg., the right to life, the right to speech, the right to education, the right to equity and equality, the right to liberty and security of a person, the right to equal protection under the law, the right to be free from all forms of discrimination, stigma, ill treatments, the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, the right to justice and favourable conditions of work, the right not to be oppressed, the right not to be subjected to intimidation and torture, the right not to be relegated, subjugated or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment—women are still at the receiving end

Violence being a very terrible, critical and delicate issue must not be left unattended to. Most of the abuse and violence cases against women often come from an intimate partner or spouse.

Global estimates published by WHO indicates that about 1 in 35% of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. Worldwide, almost one third (30%) of women who have been in a relationship that expose them to some form of physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partners, at least once in their lifetime while some violence and abuse are from close relations/relatives. 

Globally, as many as 38% of murders of women are committed by a male intimate partner—husband/fiancé/boyfriend or even ex.

Abuse could also be sexual, physical, emotional, psychological, financial and verbal and it comes in different forms.

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Men are more likely to perpetrate violence if they have low education, in some cases, the men that abuse their wives are well educated academically, but lack education of the mind due to tradition, individual thought pattern, influence from friends and family, societal orientation, a history of child maltreatment and exposure to domestic violence against their mothers leading to emotional trauma. The psychological effect when they become adults resurfaces.

Maltreatments could also be induced by harmful use of alcohol and hard drugs, personality disorder eg, (narcissistic personality) relationship with toxic friends, sticklers of archaic cultures and traditions as per patriarchy, misogynistic men, unequal gender norms including attitudes accepting of violence, and a sense of entitlement over women with the notion that, women are under men and should be treated as such. And the worst contributing factor is the hypocritical lie that, “it’s a man’s world” when in actual sense, it’s a human’s world.

We’ve seen situations whereby the narrative, “men are polygamous in nature”, “men are heads” exonerates men who cheat and abuse their wives sexually, physically, emotionally, verbally and financially – but crucify women when the case is vice versa. This is quite condemnable.

It is important to strive towards creation of social climate with zero tolerance for abuse against women or any other form of violence, and strict laws and punishments should be enacted to protect women globally from abusive men with violent nature.

If measures are not taken, so many men will keep abusing their wives with the mentality that, they will get away with it without being questioned. Strict laws that will keep offenders in check have to enacted and put to use. A clear message should also be sent across to perpetrators that anyone found inducing pains or causing violence on another adult would be severely dealt with according to the laws of the land.

Promotions of egalitarian gender norms as part of life skills and comprehensive sexuality education curricula that must be taught to young people both male and females should also be considered. A climate without tolerance of abuse and violence of any sort will be assured and achieved.

Abuse against women is Abuse against mankind. It’s therefore an all inclusive fight to help reduce the abuse being meted on women because without women, there wouldn’t be men, and serenity is all we crave for.

On a final note, abused women should learn to be bold enough to speak up and speak out to get help, support and protection. Shielding your abuser is enabling and protecting him to keep abusing you while putting your own life at stake.

A woman’s life matters, no woman should be abused in all ramifications, no woman should die of abuse and domestic violence.

Life will be more beautiful when we have a society free from abuse, violence, gender discrimination and subjugation against women.

The rights of a woman matters and should count because, she’s a human!

Unique Fady writes from Zaria, Kaduna. She can be reached at [email protected]

The views expressed in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect WikkiTimes’ editorial stance.