Newsletters - Violence and the Family

Uganda

Uganda ranks highest on incidences of domestic violence in the world. It is a major public health problem. A new domestic bill sought to address the culturally-sanctioned gender practices responsible for much of the violence in the home, including the outlawing of polygamy. The bill was, however, withdrawn after much protest from Moslems, who claimed that it violated Islamic provisions permitting men to marry four wives. It is now undergoing “further work”.

Domestic violence is classified under common assault, which requires the victim to prove grievous injury. Common assault is a criminal offence but does not provide effective remedy for domestic violence. This is partly because it is not only physical but can also be psychological; therefore using physical means to determine its occurrence misses the point. Culture and tradition have relegated domestic violence to the private domain – it is considered not only normal but also a private matter.

Domestic violence is generally viewed as occurring within the family household setting. Most African households consist of extended families, household workers, and kinship through polygamous marriages e.g. co-wives, step children, inlaws either living in the same household or separate houses. Findings suggest that 67.6% of victims are wives, 54.1% are children, 16.2% are men and 18.9% are servants or relatives.

Some causes of domestic violence

Poverty. Since poverty is the outstanding cause of domestic violence, efforts focused at raising levels of standards of living of the most affected persons would probably play a big role in reducing such violence. Millions of women become entrapped in violent homes because of limited social and economic opportunities.
Strife for equality. Cultural attitudes regard women not as male counterparts, but as subordinates who must obey their husbands. Any attempt by women to assert themselves is seen as a threat to the existing power relations and must be suppressed through physical violence or psychological means.
Bride price. Most cultures in Uganda demand that bride price be paid to male relatives of the women, where women are exchanged for cattle, money, meat, sugar and salt. Although these gifts are supposed to be tokens of appreciation to the woman’s parents, often they have been regarded as a price for the woman. So bride price compounds the problem, as it is often interpreted as wife purchase, which gives males unlimited powers to do what they wish.
Religious differences. Another factor that contributes to the increase of domestic violence is religious beliefs. Most religions lay a great deal of emphasis on the sanctity of marriage. For instance divorce is not allowed in the Christian Church and this keeps devout women in bondage in abusive relationships.
Politics. Numerous women in Uganda have suffered violence inflicted upon them within their families because of differing political beliefs. This was especially evident during the last Presidential Elections where women were beaten, divorced and even murdered because they refused to vote for the candidates of their husbands’ preferences.
Drunkenness. Drunkenness appears to be an excuse men use to batter their wives. It has been argued that men become drunk in order to perform the act of abuse, so that later they are not held responsible for their actions.

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