Domestic violence is prevalent in Ghana, [1] owing in part to a deep cultural belief that it is socially acceptable for men to discipline their wives physically. [2] [3] [4] [5] Around one in three women in Ghana are likely to experience domestic violence. [6]
The problem of domestic violence is more prevalent in rural areas and the northern regions of Ghana. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] According to a 2011 survey by MICS, 60 percent of Ghanaian women believe that husbands are justified in beating their wives, for a variety of reasons. In 2008, 38.7 percent of Ghanaian women between the ages of 15 and 49 who had ever been married had experienced physical, emotional or sexual violence by a husband or partner at some point in their lives. [17] [18] [19]
Reasons mentioned in the MICS report include: “if she goes out without telling him; if she neglects the children; if she argues with him; if she refuses sex with him; if she burns the food; if she insults him; if she refuses to give him food; if she has another partner; if she steals; or if she gossips.” [20] [21] Ghanaian women who are poorly educated and from poor socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to believe domestic violence is justified. [22]
One of the main reasons for the high incidence is Women in Ghana live in a highly patriarchal society where the man/father is the head of the household and takes all major household decisions. [23] Also many spouses are reluctant to report to police and would rather consult their local spiritual leader. It also seen a more a private matter than legal matter. [24]
In 2007 the Ghanaian government created the Domestic Violence Act in an attempt to reduce violence against women. [25] The act encountered significant resistance from cultural conservatives and local religious leaders who believed that such a law would undermine traditional African values, and that Western values were being implemented into law. [26] [27] [28]
In 2014 the Ghanaian government set up a domestic violence board to combat the issue. [29] [30] [31]
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Domestic violence is prevalent in Ghana, [1] owing in part to a deep cultural belief that it is socially acceptable for men to discipline their wives physically. [2] [3] [4] [5] Around one in three women in Ghana are likely to experience domestic violence. [6]
The problem of domestic violence is more prevalent in rural areas and the northern regions of Ghana. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] According to a 2011 survey by MICS, 60 percent of Ghanaian women believe that husbands are justified in beating their wives, for a variety of reasons. In 2008, 38.7 percent of Ghanaian women between the ages of 15 and 49 who had ever been married had experienced physical, emotional or sexual violence by a husband or partner at some point in their lives. [17] [18] [19]
Reasons mentioned in the MICS report include: “if she goes out without telling him; if she neglects the children; if she argues with him; if she refuses sex with him; if she burns the food; if she insults him; if she refuses to give him food; if she has another partner; if she steals; or if she gossips.” [20] [21] Ghanaian women who are poorly educated and from poor socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to believe domestic violence is justified. [22]
One of the main reasons for the high incidence is Women in Ghana live in a highly patriarchal society where the man/father is the head of the household and takes all major household decisions. [23] Also many spouses are reluctant to report to police and would rather consult their local spiritual leader. It also seen a more a private matter than legal matter. [24]
In 2007 the Ghanaian government created the Domestic Violence Act in an attempt to reduce violence against women. [25] The act encountered significant resistance from cultural conservatives and local religious leaders who believed that such a law would undermine traditional African values, and that Western values were being implemented into law. [26] [27] [28]
In 2014 the Ghanaian government set up a domestic violence board to combat the issue. [29] [30] [31]
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cite news}}
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link)
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cite news}}
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