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05.05.2016 Feature Article

Corruption: The Real Enemy Of Progress

Women And Children Abuse: A Perspective
Corruption: The Real Enemy Of Progress
05.05.2016 LISTEN

Women and children abuse is a hot button issue and dates back to ancient times. Religious leaders at the time condemned the practice and warned the perpetrators to stop it or they will one day stand accountable before God for their misdeeds.

Having recognized women and children abuse to be an evil habit, the prophet Jacob warned: “Wherefore, it burdeneth my soul that I should be constrained, because of the strict commandment which I have received from God, to admonish you according to your crimes, to enlarge the wounds of those who are already wounded, instead of consoling and healing their wounds; and those who have not been wounded, instead of feasting upon the pleasing word of God have daggers placed to pierce their souls and wound their delicate minds.” (Jacob 2: 9).

He also lamented the wickedness of the people in his time when he said: “Behold ye have done greater iniquities than the Lamanites, our brethren. Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives, and lost the confidence of your children, because of your bad examples before them; and the sobbings of their hearts ascend up to God against you. And because of the strictness of the word of God, which cometh down against you, many hearts died, pierced with deep wounds.” (Jacob 2:35).

Abuse can be defined as the systematic pattern of behaviours in a relationship that are used to gain and or maintain power or control over another. It can also be taken to mean treating or speaking to someone in a way that is demeaning or that causes injury or serious offense.

Women and child abuse is pervasive in our society today.

Child abuse occurs when someone who is in a position of trust or control does anything that causes physical or emotional harm to a child. We can think of physical abuse or neglect, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse among others.

Spouse abuse is widespread but under reported. It may be physical, emotional, or sexual.

Physical abuse includes hitting, pushing, biting, choking, scratching, pinching, burning, restraining etc

Emotional abuse involves attacking the person’s self-esteem, name calling, derogatory statements or using spirit killing terms on the victim, threats, solitary confinement, intimidation or manipulation.

Sexual abuse is non-consenting behavior or act.
Sexual abuse is either emotional or physical. It includes sexual harassment, inflicting pain or the use of force and intimidation.

There are several factors that may precipitate spousal and child abuse.

Abusers have been found to have been abused in their childhood years.

Those who are into alcohol or drugs are more likely to abuse their spouse or children.

In some cultures people are made to believe that women and children are their bona fide property and have the right to control or dominate them. Women are generally thought to be inferior to men. The men take advantage of this wrong notion to subject their wives to abuse.

The lack of skills in parenting, poverty, lack of education and unemployment may accentuate the abuse of children by parents or guardians.

Children with malformations or disabilities may also face neglect by parents or other caregivers. The perception is that such children have no bright future.

The effects arising out of the abuse of women and children can be far-reaching. Physical abuse can result in bodily harm such as broken bones, visible marks on the body, burns, lost teeth, perforated ear drums, muscle pain, concussion, head injuries, stomach pains, joint pains, loss of hair, injury to the eyes, headaches etc.

As a coping measure some victims resort to the use of alcohol, drugs or medication. Those who have no means to get medical care are left to their fate.

Sexual abuse can result in sexually transmitted diseases, tearing or bruising of the vagina, painful intercourse, chronic vaginal or urinary tract infections, unwanted pregnancies, infertility, fear of sexual intercourse, miscarriages, tearing of the anus etc.

There are psychological effects. They include low self-esteem, difficulty in forming or maintaining relationships, anxiety, unusual fear response, sleep disorders, memory loss, loss of concentration and decreased productivity, depression, negative eating habits develop, increased watchfulness, feelings of hopelessness and suicidal tendencies.

Women and children have the fundamental right to live in safety and security in their homes and communities-free from threats of violence or abuse of any kind.

There are various enactments to protect women and children from abuse.

Our national constitution which is the supreme law has provisions on human rights to which every citizen is entitled. These provisions are based on common law and other international conventions to which Ghana is a signatory. For instance Ghana was the first country to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in February 1990.

Children have a right to protection from abuse, neglect or sexual contact with adults. They should be protected from child labour. They have a right to education and medical care. They should not suffer discrimination of any kind.

They should not be exposed to cultural practices (eg female genital mutilation) that are harmful and adversely affect their health.

Street children also deserve protection because of their vulnerability.

The Domestic Violence Act, 2007 was passed to protect women from any form of abuse.

Abuse of any kind violates the right of people to live in safety, security, and dignity.

We must work together to prevent the abuse of women and children.

There is the need for a vigorous campaign to educate and curb women and children abuse in the country. Most people are not aware of the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act, Children’s Act, the Criminal Offenses Act and others. Awareness creation should precede the implementation of laws.

The media should report on women and children’s issues especially when right violations occur.

All existing laws on women and children should be rigidly enforced to the letter. This requires discipline on the part of law enforcement officials and other stakeholders.

As indicated earlier, our laws proscribe abuse of any sort. It is an offence to systematically subject anyone to abuse.

Abusers who have been prosecuted and found guilty of human abuse should be punished severely to serve as a deterrent to others.

Women and children should be encouraged to report all cases of abuse to the law enforcement agencies, for instance, the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service to obtain legal protection.

Women and children who become victims of abuse should be assisted to have access to medical and counseling services.

In conclusion, religious leaders, chiefs, political authorities, opinion leaders, women and child rights advocates, NGOs and civil society organizations must collaborate and put programmes in place to address the complex problem of abuse in our society. It is everybody’s right to live in safety and dignity.

ABUNDANT ROBERT K. AWOLUGUTU
DEP. DIR OF PRISONS/REGIONAL COMMANDER
TAMALE CENTRAL PRISONS
Cell: 0208 455 296

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