AFRICAN CULTURE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Extent of problem Domestic violence especially partner violence and rape growing problems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Within Refugee settings Violence is pervasive. Until UNHCR responded late 1999 - Response of host governments was that violence was not a problem (Human Rights Watch report 1999) UNHCR and partner organisations have since done their best to sensitise and offer counselling for domestic violence and rape within the camps but its still problems (Shimelba case)
Forms of violence Domestic violence physical violence, psychological and emotional abuse Economic violence deprivation of basic necessities, controlling earnings or forbidding employment. Socio-cultural violence FGM, wife and property inheritance, early and child marriage, forced sexual exposure and dowry and bride price Sexual abuse rape, marital rape Political and collective violence war related rape and abuse, violence by law enforcement forces, state perpetrated violence including ethnic clashes and organised crime, banditry and abductions.
Phase Pre-birth Infancy Girlhood Examples of Violence against women throughout the life-cycle Adolescence Elderly Type of Violence Effects of battering during pregnancy Physical, Sexual and Psychological abuse Child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, Physical, Sexual and Psychological abuse, Incest Dating and courtship violence date rape, economically coerced sex, sexual abuse at work, rape, partner violence, marital rape, psychological abuse. Forced suicide, physical and psychological abuse. Source: WHO Violence against women WHO..FRH/WHD 97.8
A Dinka (southern Sudan ethnic group) riddle poses that: If you were crossing a river with your cow and wife and there is danger of drowning and you can save only one of them, which one would you save? The answer is that you save the cow because with it you can marry another woman. FEMNET TRAINING MANUAL ON GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
Specific Cultural Issues: Family Structure Marriage in the African Context Marriage is a family affair the interests of the family and its interests are considered prior to individual rights Marriage bond reinforced through bride price (Sudanese dowry Aud 30,000). Women are not allowed to leave their violent partners as the families would have to return the brideprice. Source: www.feelfreenetwork.org
Specific Cultural Issues: Cultural Acceptance of physical violence in marriage Husband has a right to beat his wife in certain circumstances, ranging from not adequately completing housework to refusing sex, being disobedient and being unfaithful. Among some tribes and groups Husband beating their wives is seen as a sign of love and new wives will provoke their husbands in order to feel they are accepted and valued.
Specific Cultural Issues: Gender role expectations When men are unable to fulfil their traditional hierarchical roles when they are not able to provide economically this leads to frustration that carries on to family life. Jealousy In traditional African society married women should have minimal contact with men other than their husbands. Some violence to keep women quiet over the mans extramarital affairs. Quarrels over money - who gets what? The issue of remittances to family members becomes a big source of conflict among many migrants.
Specific Cultural Issues: Rape Marital Rape When a woman says NO to advances she actually means YES (Third time lucky) When a woman is raped she has provoked it by wearing indecent clothes, being flirtatious, being at the wrong place etc Marital Rape in an African setting Laws on marital rape criminalise men s advances towards women. Kenyan legislator This laws are foreign ideologies that threaten the sanctity of marriage and men s rights within it Ghanaian legislator (www.worldchanging.com/archives/007653.html)
Refugee specific issues Rape and Sexual Violence method of waging war in most African conflict situations. Protracted refugee situations create men who feel they have no power UNHCR takes the place of the father of the home so no respect from women in order to regain this power physical violence used. Phenomena of Angry young men Budumbura camp closed in Ghana as young men spent time behaving like American gangsters Rampant cases of sexual abuse and violence perpetrated by people in authority police, aid workers etc. Making it difficult for women to trust the system. Poverty and lack of resources for women make them resort to prostitution and other vices in order to survive Stigma associated with rape and sexual abuse no one is willing to report cases.
Some Good reading NO SOLUTIONS IN SIGHT: THE PROBLEM OF PROTRACTED REFUGEE SITUATIONS IN AFRICA Jeff Crisp1, Head, Evaluation and Policy Analysis Unit, UNHCR www.unhcr.ch FEMNET TRAINING MANUAL ON GENDER BASED VIOLENCE www.femnet.or.ke
Thank you