By Pius Onyebujor
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a global problem crossing cultural, economic, and geographic boundaries, affecting individuals, families, and communities. Unfortunately, Africa faces some of the highest rates of GBV globally due to factors such as poverty, conflict, and deeply rooted patriarchal systems.
In Western Africa, more than 60% of women experience some form of violence or harassment, while in the eastern and southern parts of the continent, 42% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes. That is an appalling statistic and a reminder that women are not ‘overreacting’ when they say, ‘We do not feel safe, even in our homes’. This issue is further exacerbated by social, cultural, and systemic complacency across Africa.
Social And Cultural Causes
In most African cultures, men are regarded as the sole authority figures in the community and within the institution of marriage. Women are expected to be docile, servile, and submissive, which encourages tolerance of male misbehavior. Violence is often viewed as a disciplinary action to ‘correct’ women who voice their opinions, normalizing and reinforcing domestic violence.
The practice of paying a bride price can unintentionally objectify women, causing them to be seen as property that can be bought and sold. This perception often justifies the violence and abuse they receive from their supposed partners.
Early marriages cause significant harm, as young girls are exposed too early to sexual activities for which they are neither physically nor mentally prepared. Denied the mental development that comes with personal growth and self-discovery, they often feel lost and depressed in such marriages.
Harmful cultural practices such as widow inheritance, discrimination against sexual violence victims, and female genital mutilation further contribute to the suffering of women and girls in Africa. They face assaults from several fronts, with little to no reprieve from either their male counterparts or, sadly, even their fellow women.
Systemic Complacency
Many pre-colonial African societies involved women in governance and leadership. Examples include:
- Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba (Angola)
- Queen Amina of Zazzau (Northern Nigeria)
- The Kandake Queens of Kush (Sudan)
- Yaa Asantewaa of the Ashanti Empire (Ghana)
- The Lovedu Rain Queens (South Africa)
- The Oromo Gadaa System (Ethiopia)
- Queen Makeda Of Sheba (Ethiopia/Yemen)
- The Dahomey Amazons (Benin)
- Lobola Negotiators (Southern Africa).
These women played significant roles in governance, leadership, and societal development. However, colonialism undermined these structures, introducing European patriarchal systems that relegated women to domestic spheres. Colonial policies, such as limiting land and resource ownership to men, have handicapped women to this day, forcing them to become dependents rather than equal partners.
Legal frameworks introduced during colonialism often ignored violence against women, especially within marriage. Many African countries still have these outdated laws.
Financial dependency has left women vulnerable to abuse, with few options to leave their abusers or afford the legal fees needed to pursue justice.
Conflict and political instability have unleashed rape as a weapon of war in destabilized regions of the continent. For example, during the Rwandan Genocide, an estimated 250,000–500,000 women were raped.
Conclusion
Deeply entrenched patriarchal norms, economic dependencies, and weak legal systems have made Gender-Based Violence a prolonged stain on our continent. It has weakened our societal and family institutions, causing widespread distrust between men and women.
If we can stand together to eliminate this scourge from our continent, we will witness a renaissance powered by women and girls from diverse cultural, geographic, and economic backgrounds. Let us ensure that our women and girls feel safe again.
At Shades of Us, we stand against Gender-Based Violence in all its forms. We encourage everyone who shares this stance to unite and speak out louder until the change we desire is achieved.
Why Is Gender-Based Violence Prevalent In Africa?
By Pius Onyebujor
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a global problem crossing cultural, economic, and geographic boundaries, affecting individuals, families, and communities. Unfortunately, Africa faces some of the highest rates of GBV globally due to factors such as poverty, conflict, and deeply rooted patriarchal systems.
In Western Africa, more than 60% of women experience some form of violence or harassment, while in the eastern and southern parts of the continent, 42% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes. That is an appalling statistic and a reminder that women are not ‘overreacting’ when they say, ‘We do not feel safe, even in our homes’. This issue is further exacerbated by social, cultural, and systemic complacency across Africa.
Social And Cultural Causes
In most African cultures, men are regarded as the sole authority figures in the community and within the institution of marriage. Women are expected to be docile, servile, and submissive, which encourages tolerance of male misbehavior. Violence is often viewed as a disciplinary action to ‘correct’ women who voice their opinions, normalizing and reinforcing domestic violence.
The practice of paying a bride price can unintentionally objectify women, causing them to be seen as property that can be bought and sold. This perception often justifies the violence and abuse they receive from their supposed partners.
Early marriages cause significant harm, as young girls are exposed too early to sexual activities for which they are neither physically nor mentally prepared. Denied the mental development that comes with personal growth and self-discovery, they often feel lost and depressed in such marriages.
Harmful cultural practices such as widow inheritance, discrimination against sexual violence victims, and female genital mutilation further contribute to the suffering of women and girls in Africa. They face assaults from several fronts, with little to no reprieve from either their male counterparts or, sadly, even their fellow women.
Systemic Complacency
Many pre-colonial African societies involved women in governance and leadership. Examples include:
These women played significant roles in governance, leadership, and societal development. However, colonialism undermined these structures, introducing European patriarchal systems that relegated women to domestic spheres. Colonial policies, such as limiting land and resource ownership to men, have handicapped women to this day, forcing them to become dependents rather than equal partners.
Legal frameworks introduced during colonialism often ignored violence against women, especially within marriage. Many African countries still have these outdated laws.
Financial dependency has left women vulnerable to abuse, with few options to leave their abusers or afford the legal fees needed to pursue justice.
Conflict and political instability have unleashed rape as a weapon of war in destabilized regions of the continent. For example, during the Rwandan Genocide, an estimated 250,000–500,000 women were raped.
Conclusion
Deeply entrenched patriarchal norms, economic dependencies, and weak legal systems have made Gender-Based Violence a prolonged stain on our continent. It has weakened our societal and family institutions, causing widespread distrust between men and women.
If we can stand together to eliminate this scourge from our continent, we will witness a renaissance powered by women and girls from diverse cultural, geographic, and economic backgrounds. Let us ensure that our women and girls feel safe again.
At Shades of Us, we stand against Gender-Based Violence in all its forms. We encourage everyone who shares this stance to unite and speak out louder until the change we desire is achieved.
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