Poverty Compounding Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is a global phenomenon – no country escapes its torment. We also know that throughout the world its victims are disproportionately female and the perpetrators disproportionately male. But what is known about the experiences of those female victims? Is their suffering equally as terrible wherever they happen to live?

Many factors will affect a woman’s experience of abuse, some circumstances will compound their anguish:

• The availability of domestic abuse support.
• The legal system – is coercive control criminalised for instance.
• The effectiveness of the police and judicial system.
• Access to education.
• Access to refuge.
• Social norms around a woman’s role in society.
• Social norms about reporting domestic abuse.
• Poverty.
• Access to healthcare.
• Access to contraception.
• Underlying medical conditions.
• Sanitation.

I recently had the privilege of a zoom conversation with Barbra Masibo, a social worker, feminist and women’s rights activist. Barbra is a founding member and director of Ziingo Women and Children’s Initiative. This is a non-profit making organisation based in rural Uganda. Their mission is to empower and improve the lives of women through education and economic activities. The vast majority of the women  supported by Ziingo have suffered domestic abuse.

In Uganda, coercive control is not recognised and certainly not criminalised. Only physical and sexual abuse are recognised and these types of abuse appear to be endemic. The National survey of violence in Uganda reported that 95% of Ugandan women had experienced physical and/or sexual abuse. (Ugandan Bureau of Statistics 2021). Shockingly, for one in four girls in Uganda, their first sexual experience will be rape. There is a common belief in Uganda that domestic abuse should be seen as a private matter and those who report such abuse are often harassed and shamed by others in their community.

Due to high levels of sexual assault and lack of sanitation or good medical care, sexually transmitted diseases are rife (20% amongst women) and Uganda faces an unprecedented HIV and AIDS burden. Although the majority of women in Uganda are now offered antiretroviral treatment, many abandon their medication because they lack adequate food – and these forms of medication taken on an empty stomach can increase side effects such as nausea.

A worrying trend in the violence against women in Uganda is the increase in acid attacks. The sexual rejection of men or refusal of marriage proposals are the most common reasons given in justification of these devastating attacks. These attacks are carried out as an expression of control over women and an expectation of access to  their bodies. The consequences are understandably devastating.

There are few support services for survivors and refuges are virtually non-existent. Adequate healthcare is often unavailable for poor women living in rural communities. This results in many survivors being forced to live with injuries sustained from abuse, often leading to significant disability and also shame within their communities.

Many women are uneducated and illiterate. They may have dropped out of schooling due to hunger making the walk to school seem impossible, or due to lack of sanitary equipment when their period started. Uneducated women are more likely to ‘buy into’ unhelpful myths that help perpetuate a climate where domestic abuse is tolerated. These myths dictate:

• that a husband should punch his wife for his own mistakes
• if a man hits a woman it’s an indication that he likes her
• the man should be the controller in the relationship
• women lose bits of their brain when they have a baby

It surprised me when Barbra told me that the police will take reports of significant physical domestic abuse seriously and take steps to arrest and charge the offender. However, few such assaults get to court. Not only may survivors feel the hostility of their communities when they make such a report, but with the breadwinner locked up, extreme poverty will cause them to approach the police to withdraw their complaint because without him, they have no money to feed themselves or their children. With contraception in short supply and sexual abuse including rape rife, it’s not unusual for a woman to give birth to up to 15 children. 

Barbra works tirelessly at Ziingo to improve the lives of women and children, many of  who have experienced domestic abuse, HIV or extreme poverty. Education, empowerment and economic activities are central to the support she offers. Women are provided with seeds to plant, harvest and sell – this increases their household income. Vocational training is offered in disciplines such as tailoring, hairdressing and catering – this equips women with skills to independently earn a living.

Vulnerable children, especially orphans, those living with HIV and those from very poor families are supported by Ziingo. They are provided with education and other materials essential for their daily lives.

Period poverty is a significant issue in rural Ugandan communities. Girls will often drop out of school if they don’t have access to appropriate sanitary wear. As well as the distress faced when they lack appropriate equipment, there is often a stigma around the whole process of menstruation that compounds the problem. Ziingo is actively involved in giving out sanitary pads to schools in the local community. They have found that their interventions have resulted in reducing the school drop out rate by between 14 to 18 percent.

Barbra explained:

“The journey is challenging, but every step is worth it. Seeing the transformation in the lives of these children and women, witnessing their strength, resilience and determination is a truly rewarding experience.”

What Barbra does to support vulnerable women and children is truly inspiring. Talking with her and sharing knowledge was very valuable to me, it broadened my understanding about other factors that can compound the impact of domestic abuse. I remain in awe of her dedication, commitment and focus to her mission at Ziingo. If you would like to support Ziingo in the life changing work that they do, here is the link to their GoFundMe page which raises money to pay for educational expenses for children –  https://gofund.me/c07f0685

For more information about Ziingo, please visit their website at www.ziingo.org

Published 18 August 2024