Marital Violence: A Heinous Crime Against Women

Marital violence is one of the most widespread social problems in our society, with most cases targeting women, as they are often seen by their husbands, families, and society as weak and easy to control.

This is a very complex issue, so in this article, we will try to outline the main points and shed more light on this problem.

What is Marital Violence?

Violence can be defined as any behavior directed against a woman that causes her harm. It is also a means of threatening and depriving women of their rights and limiting their freedom, whether inside or outside the home.

Forms of Marital Violence:

There are many types of marital violence committed against women, and none of them can be justified. Violence in all its forms is a crime punishable by law. These forms include:

Physical Violence:

This is the most common type of violence. It includes any use of physical force, whether kicking, hitting with hands, or using an object to inflict harm. It can also include slapping or other means.

Verbal Violence:

This is also very common in our Arab society and has a significant impact on women's mental health. It involves the husband insulting the woman with obscene words, mocking her, yelling at her, or embarrassing her in front of others.

Psychological Violence:

This form is connected to the other types. A woman may experience physical or verbal violence and suffer many psychological effects.

There are several ways this is practiced, such as belittling the woman's abilities and potential, undermining her self-confidence, which leads to feelings of depression, fear, and anxiety.

Economic Violence:

This involves controlling her spending and all matters related to money, making access to it very limited.

Causes and Motives of Marital Violence:

There are many reasons for violence against women, all stemming from different motives, including:

• Social motives: Arab society, with its customs and traditions, often restricts women and limits their opportunities for education and work.
• Psychological motives: A person may have experienced abuse and harm in childhood, witnessed violence between parents, or suffered from the absence of a father, which can be a cause.
• Economic motives: These are among the most important reasons for marital violence, stemming from life pressures, difficult economic conditions, and excessive consumption by the woman.

Effects of Marital Violence:

Marital violence leads to many consequences, including:

• Physical injuries such as headaches, back and abdominal pain, digestive disorders, and general health deterioration.
• Psychological effects, where the woman feels depression, stress, eating and sleeping disorders, and it may even lead to suicide.
• There are also social effects, such as isolation and inability to work.

Marital Violence According to Statistics:

International organizations are working hard to obtain accurate figures on this phenomenon worldwide. One alarming statistic is that about 35% of women globally have experienced violence in its various forms.

Solutions to Eliminate and Reduce Marital Violence:

All countries must combat and eliminate marital violence. Some solutions include:

• Punishing those who commit marital violence according to the laws and regulations of each country.
• Focusing on the education sector to raise awareness among generations and promote a culture and behavior that rejects wrongful practices against women.
• Supporting and training women so they can earn money and become self-reliant.
• Raising community awareness about the negative effects of early and forced marriage.
• Listening to the experiences of women who have been subjected to violence and helping them overcome it.
• Reporting any witnessed case of marital violence in all its forms.
• The family also plays a major role in reducing this phenomenon; mutual respect between spouses and ongoing support set a good example for children.
• Encouraging women to pursue education and face the challenges they encounter.

Marital violence is a negative phenomenon in traditional societies, and everyone must help find and implement solutions to eliminate or at least reduce it.