Bride Purchase
Institution of Marriage
Bride Purchase
Bride Purchase
Global Problem
The United Nations defines domestic violence as intimate partner violence (IPV), including domestic abuse, and/or relationship abuse. They are patterns of violent behaviors used by one partner to dominant and control the other. (The National Domestic Violence Hotline).
Although domestic violence is prevalent and represented by all races, genders, age groups, sexual orientations, and/or religions, it is a larger problem in most developing countries. In other words, domestic violence is a global problem and pressing issue for almost all societies, if worse in countries that limit women’s rights. Unless enormous effort and great personal risk is made on the part of women the problems of abuse remain and worsen over time.
All acts of physical harm, prevention of freedom, threats or intimidation, emotional and sexual abuse qualify as forms of domestic violence (“Abuse Defined”).
Why Nigeria?
According to Rosemarie Skaine, editor of Abuse, An Encyclopedia of the Causes, the impact of abuse is of a much wider range of violence in developing countries such as Nigeria, where the presence and its threat cause the additional problems of anxiety, depression and fear. (Skaine) Because cultural patriarchy in Nigeria enforces harmful stereotypes of women, the prevalence of domestic violence is an alarming and a national crisis (Okobi). The ubiquitous acceptance of violence against women by Nigerian men hardens attitudes without shame or guilt. Such attitudes result in little to no advancement, reduce or abolish domestic violence against women. Victims feel alone and are afraid to speak out. The fear of the perpetrator gaining information about those seeking for help, causes many women to quietly suffer their pain and not reach out.