Is Domestic Violence A Way Of Life?

Samantha Stevens
Soc 202
Prof. Sills

According to the 2006 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey, sixty eight percent of Ugandan women had been beaten by their partners within the past year. The violence included everything from pushing to beating, forced sex and even murder. According to the survey, rural and/or uneducated women were more likely to be victims of domestic violence than their educated and/or urban counterparts. Horrifyingly, the survey showed that an incredible seventy percent of the women surveyed believed that the abuse was justified. Most of the women also said that they would not report even “unjustified” domestic violence because of fear of their husbands.

This problem is not isolated to such disadvantaged countries as Uganda. The Human Rights Watch states that domestic violence is a global problem, and one of the leading causes of female injuries in a majority of countries.

This Ugandan survey also shows that uneducated women are at a greater risk for domestic violence. Women must be educated in order to realize that this violence is not “justifiable”, but is rather a gross encroachment of their human rights. Education will also give these women greater economic and social independence, so that they need not fear their husbands.

While this particular survey showed violence in Uganda, domestic violence truly is a global social problem, and one that involves everyone. We must all do our part in order to end this horrible inequality.