There is need for tighter regulation to stop cases of domestic violence

Domestic violence is a very sad and worrying phenomenon.

It is an ugly stain on the so-called beautiful face of today's society. However, in a civilised society, educated people solve problems by arguing. But when a modern man uses domestic violence, he shows that he has been educated but hasn't learned from it.

By looking more closely at the nature of acts of violence, these three categories can be further divided into four, more specific, types of violence, such as physical violence. Sexual violence, psychological violence, neglect.

Over 40 per cent of married women in Kenya have reported being victims of either domestic violence or sexual abuse. Over 30 per cent of women who have ever been in a relationship and are 15 years or older have been hurt physically or sexually by a partner.

It not an exaggeration to say that domestic violence has been going on since time immemorial and women have been the biggest victims of this domestic violence, but it is also a fact that now the victims of domestic violence are the children of the family, the elderly, and men.

According to sociologists, domestic violence should not only be valued as physical violence, but also verbal, emotional and mental violence. The main causes of domestic violence against women include male dominance, dowry, greed for property, the birth of daughters, or inability to tell the truth. It has also come to light that domestic violence against women is often perpetrated by a woman in the family.

Such a woman may sometimes resort to physical, mental, or verbal violence against herself, directly or through a male family member. The tragedy of a woman is that she has to go through the cycle of violence at home, in the market, on the bus and at work.

Increasing parental engagement and the need for money to care for the family's needs have led to strained relationships. In most families in Kenya, women have to go to work to earn a living. Due to increasing fatigue and busy schedules, parents are not able to find time for their children, and instead of answering the questions asked by them, they resort to angry and violent abuse.

It has become the nature of most parents to vent their anger, fatigue, frustration, and mental turmoil on their children. About one in two Kenyan youngsters have been violent. Teenagers live in violent families and communities. Children who witness or experience emotional, physical, or sexual abuse are at risk of depression and anxiety. Diabetes, obesity, heart disease, low self-esteem, and other issues may be involved. In many families, the condition of the elderly remains deplorable. 

Due to lack of money and physical disability in old age, the elderly face verbal, mental, or sometimes physical violence at the hands of their sons and daughters-in-law. Today, the causes of domestic violence need to be identified and dealt with in a timely manner, and the necessary laws and measures to curb domestic violence need to be put in place. Raise awareness in schools, colleges, and offices by conducting seminars on the prevention of domestic violence.

It's election year in Kenya, and the right time for Kenyans to make their voices heard for the new government to make good on its commitments to protect women, girls, and children from abuse, particularly by providing free medical and mental health care, alternative housing, and justice. Building a strong framework that is based on women's, girls', and children’s rights is one of the primary responsibilities of the government.