As another International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November) rolls around, do you wonder why we still need this annual reminder?
Just ask around in Guinea, where fully two-thirds (67%) of all adults say a man is justified in using physical force to discipline his wife if she does something he doesn’t approve of. Even more shockingly, women are just as likely as men to agree.
And Guineans are far from alone. Majorities in eight of 39 surveyed countries – all in francophone West or Central Africa – see the use of physical force against women as “sometimes” or “always” justified.
On average across the 39 countries, acceptance of physical violence against women is lower – 31% – thanks to overwhelming rejection in Cabo Verde (97%), Malawi (94%), Madagascar (92%), Seychelles (91%), Eswatini (91%), and other countries.
Still, imagine that wife beating is considered acceptable in roughly one out of every three homes. In fact, that’s close to what happens: An estimated 33% of women in sub-Saharan Africa – and 27% of women worldwide – have experienced intimate partner violence.
Maybe every day should be a Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Is it justified for men to physically discipline their wives? | 39 African countries | 2021/2023
