More men suffer domestic abuse silently – study

By Peter Orengo

Many men suffer domestic abuse from their spouses in silence, a new study shows.

The report released yesterday and commissioned by Maendeleo ya Wanaume, a lobby group that advocates the rights of men, showed that domestic violence against men by women had shot up.

Maendeleo ya Wanaume Chairman Ndiritu Njoka (centre) and other officials at the launch of the report on Sunday. [PHOto: martin mukangu]

"It is widely held that women are always the victims, but today women are also perpetrators of domestic abuse and violence," said Maendeleo ya Wanaume Chairman Ndiritu Njoka at the launch of the report in Nairobi yesterday.

Said Mr Njoka: " Through organised groups, women are supportive of each other and outspoken about domestic abuse and violence, but no attention is paid to abuse by women on men."

The study carried out for eight months in 40 districts, showed that Central Province led in physical abuse by women against men, at 72 per cent. Nairobi was second at 60 per cent while Nyanza took the third position at 58 per cent. North Eastern had the lowest of cases at nine per cent.

The abuse recorded by respondents include injuries and emotional abuse such as battering, verbal abuse, denial of conjugal rights and being forced to do house chores.

　

male politicians

Njoka said at the time of the research, 39 per cent of male politicians were found to be victims of domestic violence and abuse.

The study also found that women sought witchcraft services to resolve marital problems.

The research findings also suggest that laws favoured women, while the society was ignorant and unconcerned over domestic abuse against men.

The report also said most women get into marriage for security or investment.

"Our visit to magistrate courts and chiefs offices revealed that many domestic cases at the waiting list were separation and divorce. Even when the marriage or come-we-stay (cohabitation) unions lasted for six months only, women’s interest border on property division," he said.

The organisation has urged stakeholders to invest resources equally on both sexes.

It said initiatives like the Women Development Fund was one-sided because it left out men.

They also call for advocacy campaigns to fight domestic violence on men.