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Historically, no one
has ever won a medal for battery, rape, incest, or any other form of
violence against women. It is also certain that no one will ever receive
or give an award for violence. Why then the increase in the occurrence
of domestic violence in recent times?

Violence within the
home is dangerous and unfortunate because often times one runs home from
outside for protection if there is any danger. Experiencing danger
within the confines of the home is no doubt a double tragedy.

Domestic violence is
systematic behaviour used to control an intimate partner by the other
partner in a relationship; it is often perpetrated by the male over the
female – women and young girls. Unfortunately, also, this control is
sustained by culture and religious interpretations that recognise male
control as normal.

Continuous silence
and denial of the health and social implications of abuse is not good
for the people. As it is today, domestic violence is under-estimated and
unreported.

Domestic violence
can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or
gender. It can happen to couples who are married, living together, or
who are dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socio-economic
backgrounds and educational levels.

According to
paragraph 112 of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action:
“Violence against women both violates and impairs or nullifies the
enjoyment by women of their human rights and fundamental freedoms. In
all societies, to a greater or lesser degree, women and girls are
subjected to physical, sexual and psychological abuse that cuts across
lines of income, class and culture.”

The socialisation of
boys and men is a major contributory factor to the increase in the
occurrence of violence at home. The belief that men are superior to
women has turned most men into wife batterers because they feel that the
women are their subjects and should be under their control. Some women
have been battered even during pregnancies and have either had
miscarriages or lost their lives as a result.

Domestic Violence
Against Women (DVAW) is a major public health and human rights problem
throughout the world. Therefore, the continuous divide between the
private and public in cases of violence against women should be
discontinued. The fact that domestic violence happens behind closed
doors is enough reason to make it a pubic affair, to stop its further
perpetuation.

It is important for
the government to carry out studies on domestic violence to establish
its effects on the health, education, and criminal justice system. The
government cannot afford to hold back because it affects a significant
part of its population.

Indirectly, the
government’s social welfare packages respond to cases that are
aftermaths of domestic violence. In the process, a lot of human and
material resources are committed. From all indications, reducing the
occurrence of violence against women will automatically reduce the
extent of government’s expenses on social welfare schemes.

The award of
excellence, if developed at all, should be targeted at governments that
do their homework in reducing the occurrence of domestic violence
against women and which respond swiftly to any such situations.

Violence, whether
within the home or in the public, is a violation of the right of its
victims. It is also inconsistent with accepted human norms and must,
therefore, STOP. Violence in whatever form is not a culture to be
tolerated.