Violence In Africa
Domestic Violence Against Women in Benin
Statistics about domestic violence in Africa keep growing and the prediction does not look any brighter in the near future. Globally, it is estimated that millions of women are exposed to domestic violence. In fact, it is the primary cause of injury and death of women between the ages of 16 and 44. Additionally, violence against women goes beyond intimidation at work and can include beatings, forced marriage, dowry, marital rape, and forced pregnancy. Culturally, some abusers of women tend to view violence as the only way to solve family conflicts. They feel that being legal husbands gives them the right to do whatever they want since they are the head of the family. Because women are seen as the weaker sex, some married women can be beaten by their husbands for ridiculous reasons without having the opportunity to defend themselves.
Growing up in Benin and after reading many articles about domestic violence, I have seen firsthand what a lot of women and even young girls go through. I can still recall what happened to a friend of mine who was badly beaten by her husband for a whole night, just because he came home late and she had fallen asleep and did not open the door right after he knocked. Unfortunately, although she went to the police, she did not get any satisfaction from them.
We all know that this situation is the everyday life of some of your friends, sisters or relatives. No one should be left behind and if all the women in the world, even in Africa, stand up, we can change the status of women for the upcoming generations.
