Domestic violence: a case study of Korogocho slum in Nairobi

Abstract

This study examines the magnitude of domestic violence and its effects especially on the women living in Korogocho slum in Nairobi. Domestic violence is a vice that affects women globally and its effects are more or less the same everywhere in the world. The study was therefore interested _in understanding why battered women do not seek redress through the available options that are at their disposal and also in examining the available support mechanisms for them. The study did a comparative research on the magnitude of domestic violence globally, in Africa and in Kenya. This provided information on the different forms of gender- based violence meted on women around the world. Field work during data collection provided insight into the frequency of attacks on women in their own homes. Traditionally, it is usually assumed that women are battered by their husbands/lovers because of their behavior, the way they conduct themselves or even due to their own mistakes. However, further research to the vice has shown that the issue of domestic violence lies on the power relations between men and women. Cultural beliefs and practices accompanied by the socialization women receive from childhood provide a fertile ground for them to be battered and to live as victims of domestic violence without their questioning the status quo. The other observation is that even though the issue of domestic violence is receiving more attention among development conscious Agencies including state governments, a lot more needs to be done to rid women of this vice. This is to say that the government needs to domesticate the universal conventions like CEDAW and COVAW and be serious in punishing offenders .This will serve as a deterrent to others who would be potential batterers. Domestic violence is a violation of women's' Human Rights and should be treated as a crime and therefore punishable by law. Though women as individuals are becoming more aware of their rights, they still need opportunities to acquire more education, income and support mechanisms if they are going to effectively challenge gender-based violence. It is difficult for them to do it alone. The state and everybody else has to be involved. After all, putting a stop to domestic violence has to be everybody's responsibility if the country will realize any meaningful and sustainable development. Domestic violence affects women socially, economically an,d politically. These effects have a trickle down effect on everybody else. Everybody has therefore to be involved in putting a stop to it.