Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the world. In Kenya, more than 47 percent of women are victims of physical and sexual abuse. This rate is higher than the world average; 25 percent of women in the world experience violence with their intimate partners at least once in their lifetime. In Kenya, though, domestic violence against women is increasing at an alarming rate.
In 2016, Jackeline Mwende was the face of domestic violence after her husband chopped off her hands as punishment for her inability to have children. In early 2019, Beryl Ouma was strangled to death by her husband. Her cries for help went unanswered for over four hours. The two women are just a peek into the countless number of women whose lives have been changed or ended in the hands of their partners.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime noted that 69 percent of all domestic violence victims in Africa are murdered by an intimate partner or family member. According to this report, only 18 percent are men and 82 percent are women. The report finds that: “even though men are the principal victims of homicide globally, women continue to bear the heaviest burden of lethal victimization as a result of gender stereotypes and inequality.”
Men with low self-esteem are more likely to interpret the actions of women as threatening to their masculinity, even when the partner means no harm. This perception makes them react in a violent and retaliatory manner. Other factors such as income insecurity and a loveless childhood also lead men to act violently towards women.
While the government has put in place policies to protect women from violence—including the Protection against Domestic Violence Act, the Sexual Offenses Act, and the Marriage Act—the system is rigged, and women rarely get the justice they deserve. Women fear to report their experiences because they are victimized further and are often sent back home without justice. The judicial officers are not well-trained to observe sensitivity when dealing with issues pertaining to sexual and domestic violence. As a result, the victims are unwilling to file reports.
Violence has a long impact on a victim’s life mentally, physically, and emotionally. Violence towards women, especially, has its roots in a deeply entrenched tradition of patriarchy and misogyny. The power dynamics are disadvantages to women who are unable to reach their full potential.
Patriarchal systems and misogynistic beliefs are the main reason behind the rise of violence against women in the country. In a patriarchal society like Kenya, women are viewed as inferior. They are seen as objects, belonging to the men, and thus suffer hatred from the same men who derive pleasure and own them with absolutely no regard to their rights and freedoms. Domestic violence is the fruit of the inequality created by patriarchy. The Kenyan culture views beating women as normal, as evidenced in statements like “Mwanamke ni kuvumilia” (women should be is tolerant). Such is the case of Peninah Wangechi who forgave and withdrew charges against her husband who stabbed her 17 times. The false sense of superiority bestowed upon the men by patriarchal structures has bred a society where women cannot and should not say ‘no’ to men’s advances and propositions, lest they become the next domestic violence victim.
Self-esteem issues are also a contributing factor to the rise of domestic violence cases. Men become violent towards women to save face. Most of them often believe that if a woman disrespects a man, resorting to violence would assert the man’s authority.
Men with low self-esteem are more likely to interpret the actions of women as threatening to their masculinity, even when the partner means no harm. This perception makes them react in a violent and retaliatory manner. Other factors such as income insecurity and a loveless childhood also lead men to act violently towards women.
Domestic violence cases in Kenya can be eradicated by teaching men to have compassion towards their partners. Those among them with mental health issues should be helped. An efficient legal system is equally important to ensuring lessons are served for deterrence. Kenyan women deserve a more dignified life.
Morilyn Muthoni is the founder of Ladies of Liberty Alliance, Tanzania and a student of Library and Information Management at the Open University of Tanzania. She is a graduate of the Atlas Leadership Academy and tweets via @Morilyn2014