Domestic violence become a serious problem all over the
world. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is considered to be the most common form
of domestic violence. IPV is the violence by a spouse or partner in an intimate
relationship against the other spouse or partner. IPV has been reported to be associated
with high levels of abortion, depression and unsafe sexual behaviors that can
lead to many sexually transmitted diseases with HIV/AID being on the top of the
list. Consequently, domestic violence can have serious physical and emotional
outcomes on individuals, families and communities. Additionally, it can
increase the national and global annual financial cost due to loss of
productivity and enforcement.
However; I strongly believe that many of the domestic
violence practices has many cultural and religious roots that should be well understood
before trying to intervene with the problem. For example, in many communities,
early marriage before 18 years is a cultural norm. Females in such young age
are still young to negotiate safe sex which makes them more susceptible to
higher levels of IPV. Besides, their bodies are still in the state of growth.
They are still considered children who needs child nutritional requirements to
build their bodies. If these females got pregnant in such young age, mostly
they would suffer from under-nutrition and micro-nutrient deficiencies which not
only threat their health but also their offsprings that might be of low birth
weight, stunted and suffer from severe adverse health issues. Additionally,
early pregnancy between 15-19 years is associated with higher levels of
maternal mortality rates which are estimated to be 200 times more than those
between 20-24 years. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is another domestic
violence practice that is linked to a deeply rooted social construction of
reality with cultural and religious roots. It is estimated that two hundred
million females worldwide suffer from FGM and most of these practices are done
under the age of 5 years. Another norm in many cultures is that females who
experience non-partner sexual domestic violence practices, become stigmatized, don’t
seek help or report their cases. Although they are the victims, they become
guilty in their community to the extent that their fathers might kill them to get
out of the feeling of shame in their communities. Although it is heartbreaking,
it is a cultural norm that account for more domestic violence.
Domestic violence is not only a crime; it became a global
health threat. In my opinion, tackling this issue from a cultural based
approach is a must. Understanding the norms and achieving high levels of
cultural competency is one of the secret keys of success in order to put a halt
to this global health issue.
Reference:
Hi Salma,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. It is certainly a tragic reality in many communities that is deep rooted into cultural traditions. I think the approach to combat the global health problem of FGM and the domino effect it has on maternal and child undernutrition and mortality is through education. To intervene from the cultural angle you mentioned would, in my opinion, bring about resistance and hostility. Culture is inherent, innate, in human evolution and to influence behavior through changes of a cultural tradition would potentially not be well received in these communities. As public health professionals, providing information that is understandable and that addresses the negative impacts of such actions on health, the community, and offspring would be more beneficial. It is through providing relevant education of how such actions contribute to injustice and through advocacy that will allow for the behavioral change. There is a need to provide all members with the freedom to practice culture and religion; also providing the gift of choice. I understand that many of these females don't have a choice, but perhaps if all actors in the community are well informed, are educated on the power of their actions would allow for the change to occur. The social change will only come by proving information, not changing a cultural tradition that is again, deep rooted in a community's history.
Salma,
ReplyDeleteI so agree with your post. Growing up when you are a kid, you were supposed to be seen and not heard, so people sometimes say things that they didn't think you were listening to. I remember standing around waiting for my parents after church one day some of the women discussing another woman who they thought was stepping out on her husband. I was stunned when I heard the women say that the husband should beat the wife and if he had put her in her place then she wouldn't be acting like she was. Of course I said nothing, it felt a little betraying, because I was always told to never let a man hit me. I thought the women in my family were strong as I have never seen one of them being physically abused, but they were ok with someone else. As I grew older, I was told that when you get married your husband was your head and ruler, thus he was in charge of you. Many of the abuse that goes on I do believe has roots in religiosity and misunderstanding of what it means to be head of household. I think that pastors and preachers chastise women a lot and teach about what women should and shouldn't do, however sometimes they are lack in doing the same thing to the male parishioners.
What an important topic, Salma. I wish we had had more chance to discuss this during the maternal child health topic a few weeks ago. As you discuss, the cascading effects that extend beyond mental/physical damage of the abuse to affect other areas of life should be enough to spring people to action over this issue, let alone the heartbreaking reality that so many women around the world are silently suffering. As Chris discusses, the religious implications are quite deeply engrained and it is frightening to realize how pervasive this is, even in our society. How horrible that in your story, Chris, it was WOMEN who were suggesting domestic abuse of another WOMAN who had not conformed to their code of ethics... I am completely baffled as to how a religio-cultural system could ever justify such a perspective, but that's what makes our work as PH professionals so challenging. There is no easy way to logically or emotionally to change these types of behaviors. To Amy's comment, I would agree that education is very vital; however, we must go about it in the right way. When certain beliefs are challenged with education and fact, it can serve to merely reinforce the original position -- we talked about this in another class of mine in regards to anti-vaccine Americans who have been shown all the facts and only retreat farther into their position. Effective education methods will also be culturally specific and this must be accounted for in planning a successful intervention.
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