The well being of women has become a pressing global issue:

Let’s not compromise with domestic violence in Sri Lanka

by Rosanne Koelmeyer Anderson

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Violence is a major and growing public health problem that is prevalent in the world among all strata of society although it may proportionately differ from country to country but the reality and wakeup call to individuals, families, communities and countries is that with the growing consequences of violence the health of women globally is being seriously compromised causing a detrimental effect on a country’s healthcare system too.

In Sri Lanka 30-40 per cent of women suffer from some form of violence and domestic violence has been rated as prevalently high while the global population figures too reveal that every third woman is a victim of violence and approximately 40 per cent of women suffer from violence and domestic violence.

But most acts and consequences of violence remain hidden and unreported says Dr. Lakshman Senanayke, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Consultant Hospital Efficiency and Quality, Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition, Sri Lanka Health Sector Development Project and co-author of the National Report on Violence and Heath in Sri Lanka.

"Women suffer in silence"

Violence as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) is the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, mal development or deprivation.

Violence is a major health issue in South East Asia .Statistics reveal that violence kills more than 1.6 million people every year, out of which one-fifth belong to South-East Asia. For every death due to violence, another 20-40 persons require medical care resulting in a considerable burden on the health system.

In 2000, violence accounted for an estimated 317,000 deaths in South-East Asia and these violent deaths account for more than six times the deaths caused by malaria and half the number of deaths due to tuberculosis the report states.

“The message that should reach the public and create an impact on society is that individually we should condemn the act of violence against women including domestic violence and have zero tolerance.

Governments and organizations like the health sector, women’s organizations, the Police and the Judiciary must make a concerted effort to provide services to the people to make a change in the lives and thinking of the people”, Dr Senanayake reiterated. To quote Richter would be fitting to support this proposition that “individuality is everywhere to be spared and respected as the root of everything.”

Explaining the types of violence Dr. Senanayake said, violence can be identified as physical, mental, sexual and economic cross-cutting all strata of people and women are said to suffer more than one type of violence simultaneously.

“The common myth that violence is more prevalent in the lower income groups is contentious: violence is prevalent in the socially privileged group too. The truth is that women throughout their lives have been suffering in silence.”

“Domestic violence cuts across racial, ethnic, religious, educational and socio economical strata and poses many serious health issues relating to reproduction, chronic illnesses like constant abdominal pain and headache and menstrual disturbances to violence during pregnancy which could lead to abortion and premature birth and bleeding during pregnancy causing risk to the mother.

What is distressing is that the physical, psychological and social consequences of domestic violence could be long term and detrimental. The message should therefore reach the public loud and clear.”

Many organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNFPA and UNICEF have recognized that this is an important issue that needs to be addressed as the welfare and well being of women have become a pressing global issue.

“However, the specific cause of violence cannot be singled out: the causes are multi factorial; they are related to relationships, beliefs and attitudes of the individual or society.

For example, if a person has been witness to his/her mother getting battered he/she may be predisposed to similar behavioral patterns at any point of his/her adult life. Thus, the importance of socially acceptable behavioral lifestyles are important at all times. Declare your home as no fighting and no violence zone for “a sound mind in a sound body; if the former be the glory of the latter, the latter is indispensable to the former.”

But, it has been revealed that ‘intimate partner violence’ is a common component of domestic violence and the common notion is that the purpose of domestic violence is not primarily to harm the victim but to correct the victim but in reality it is just a much sort after way of imposing power over the partner, Dr. Senanayake explained.

The National Report on Violence and Health in Sri Lanka states that the cultural values inculcated in the minds of Sri Lankan women by the institution of marriage seems to have resulted in women continuing to remain in their marriage despite being in an abusive relationship.

Meanwhile, recent studies carried out in Sri Lanka have also shown that 60 per cent to 80 per cent of women do in fact remain with their abusive husbands or partners and the saga continues: women continue to suffer within the relationship; a tremendous impact on the physical, psychological and social well being of women in society that has now received much recognition with hope for a better tomorrow .

“The use of alcohol by men has led many male batters to lose their inhibitions and conveniently attribute it as the cause of acts of violence. However, alcohol is not the sole contributory factor of domestic violence.

Domestic violence could also become an issue in relationships where family attitudes, cultural beliefs and the traditional role of husband and wife are set and trivial issues become an excuse to batter the woman. But the bottom line is that whatever the reason be, there is no justification for violence in a family.

In any relationship anger may be observed but anger been converted into violence is not acceptable.”

As an individual member of society, one of the ways of assisting a battered woman is to give them a patient hearing for mere listening itself would them give great relief. Linking up with another and being able to come back for help or being given the assurance that there is always help at hand is important, for most often such situations can be improved through a process of counselling by a professional counsellor which is freely available throughout the country”. Answering a frequently asked question, Dr. Senanayake said violence against men is very rare and insignificant.

Domestic violence assistance centres are located at the Women’s Bureau of Sri Lanka, Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Women-in-Need (WIN) centres in Colombo, Matara, Kandy, Kurunegala, Badulla, Anuradhapura and Jaffna.Consultation facilities are also available at the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, Badulla General Hospital, Anuradhapura General Hospital and the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, Mituru Piyasa at Matara hospital, Sri Lanka Sumithrayo and the Sarvodaya. Seeking assistance from these centres will help women unfurl their feelings and improve relationships.

The Domestic Violence Act was passed in 2005 in Sri Lanka.

In the event of domestic violence when the other channels of assistance such as counselling and mediation fail a person may appeal to the Court of Law directly or go through the Police and obtain a Restraining Order to prevent further violence.