Violence against women is a world- wide phenomenon that is a key factor in

 women’s oppression.

It is as old as human beings have been in existence and has been condoned by society in various ways. In fact the term “rule of thumb” is taken from an eighteenth century English law which allowed a man to chastise his wife with a stick not thicker than his thumb.

Among some ethnic groups in Ghana and other parts of Africa, as part of the marriage ceremonies, a man is given a symbolic stick to indicate that he is allowed to discipline his wife when she misbehaves.

Women in such cases are considered minors and in the same position as children who need to be disciplined.

Violence affects not only the woman but the children, the family and the community as a whole.

A woman who has been subjected severe violence is unable to undertake economic activities thereby depriving the family of much needed resources, and her contribution to national development.

In the following pages, we shall attempt to address some of the factors underlying violence, the different forms of violence, consequences or impacts of violence and what can be done as front line practitioners to deal with victims of violence.

Scope of the problem

• In a 10-country study on women's health and domestic violence  
  • Between 15% and 71% of women reported physical or sexual violence by a husband or partner.
  • Many women said that their first sexual experience was not consensual. (24% in rural Peru, 28% in Tanzania, 30% in rural Bangladesh, and 40% in South Africa).
  • Between 4% and 12% of women reported being physically abused during pregnancy.
• About 5,000 women are murdered by family members in the name of honour each year worldwide.
• Trafficking of women and girls for forced labour and sex is widespread and often affects the most vulnerable.
• Forced marriages and child marriages violate the human rights of women and girls, but they are widely practiced in many countries in Asia, the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa.
• Worldwide, up to one in five women and one in 10 men report experiencing sexual abuse as children. Children who experience sexual abuse are much more likely to encounter other forms of abuse later in life.

Health effects

Health consequences can result directly from violent acts or from the long-term effects of violence.

• Injuries: Physical and sexual abuse by a partner is closely associated with injuries. Violence by an intimate partner is the leading cause of non-fatal injuries to women in the USA.
• Death: Deaths from violence against women includes honour killings (by families for cultural reasons); suicide; female infanticide (murder of infant girls); and maternal death from unsafe abortion.
• Sexual and reproductive health: Violence against women is associated with sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS, unintended pregnancies, gynaecological problems, induced abortions, and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, low birth weight and fetal death.
• Risky behaviours: Sexual abuse as a child is associated with higher rates of sexual risk-taking (such as first sex at an early age, multiple partners and unprotected sex), substance use, and additional victimization. Each of these behaviours increases risks of health problems.
• Mental health: Violence and abuse increase risk of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep difficulties, eating disorders and emotional distress.
• Physical health: Abuse can result in many health problems, including headaches, back pain, abdominal pain, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorders, limited mobility, and poor overall health status.

 Help Center International response

Help Center International and partners collaborate to decrease violence against women through initiatives that help to identify, quantify and respond to the problem, including:

• Building evidence on the scope and types of violence in different settings. This is a key step in understanding the magnitude and nature of the problem at a global level.
• Developing guidance for Member States and health professionals to prevent violence and strengthen health sector responses to it.
• Disseminating information to countries and supporting national efforts to advance women's rights and prevent violence.
• Collaborating with international agencies and organizations to deter violence against women globally.

For more information contact:       info@helpcenterinternational.org