Lagos: Beatrice was woken up by a loud sound on Sunday afternoon. Before she could raise her head, she heard much more. Someone was knocking hard on her apartment’s main entrance door.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the person at the door was her neighbor, Lade, who got married three years ago. Lade whispered urgently for help, confessing that she had stabbed her husband, Desmond. Beatrice, sensing the gravity of the situation, opened the door to find Lade covered in blood. She rushed to the kitchen where she found Desmond in a pool of blood. The altercation had begun with a slap, escalating to Desmond beating Lade with a belt and his fists, prompting her to retaliate with a knife. Desmond was later hospitalized in intensive care but survived, a fate not all victims of domestic violence share.
Desmond’s incident is reflective of the increasing cases of domestic violence that concern analysts, who note its destructive impact on marriages and the children from these unions. Mr. Obi Achugo, a relationship counselor, describes domestic violence as a growing menace in Nigeria that must be swiftly addressed.
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) reported receiving 6,456 cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) involving adults and children from September 2023 to July 2024, with 73 percent being domestic violence cases against adults. Mrs. Abosede Ewumi, a mental health management expert and professor at Tai Solarin University of Education, warns that domestic violence transcends demographics and is often intertwined with controlling behaviors and emotional abuse.
Ewumi cites a 2019 survey by the National Bureau of Statistics that revealed 30 percent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with 68 percent encountering emotional, economic, or sexual abuse. Despite governmental and NGO efforts, domestic violence remains prevalent, manifesting as intimidation, physical assault, battery, and more.
Dr. Toyin Adaramoye, a Development Psychologist at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, notes that while physical abuse is often emphasized, emotional abuse can equally erode self-esteem and independence. Economic abuse, where one partner restricts the other’s financial freedom, and technological abuse, involving surveillance without consent, are also highlighted.
Adaramoye advocates for anger management centers and warns of the potential for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among domestic violence victims. She emphasizes the importance of media in challenging gender inequality norms and calls for community leader involvement in changing cultural attitudes.
Mrs. Marian Jones, former Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, points out how patriarchal and religious norms in society contribute to domestic violence, often positioning men as superior and limiting women’s economic opportunities. This is echoed by Lagos-based lawyer Mr. Abdul Wahab, who calls for a comprehensive approach to raise awareness and promote zero tolerance for domestic violence, involving government, media, and community leaders.
Analysts stress the necessity of collective action to eradicate domestic violence, safeguard lives, and protect societal well-being. (NANFeatures)
*If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria