THE SILENT CRY
“An account of a concerned woman”
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is most traumatizing to the many women who suffer in silence. The question I ask is, why should women go through different forms of abuse in marriages and continue to stay in the marriage? It is a question that perhaps, only the individual being abused can answer. The World Health Organization(WHO, 2010) defined IPV to include physical, sexual, emotional abuse and controlling behaviours by an intimate partner. I am a woman, a wife, a mother, a sister and a daughter. I belong to a family and my value is priceless. Should I be subjected to torture, insults, mockery and … to the same HAND that is to protect me?
Often, we talk about the physical abuse of partners including slapping, hitting, beating and kicking which results in injuries of various levels and physical death. But we forget the emotional (psychological) abuses: insults, belittling, constant humiliation, and threats which may not be seen physically but have grave damage to our mental wellbeing. Women tend to be silent on these abuses and become helpless in the hands of their “vampires”. Can we be strong and courageous and stand up for ourselves, our children, families and the society that needs us most? We need to be alive to stay with and take care of the children… And can we be empowered, be it lack of economic support? or any other factors. Let us brace our civil and criminal legal frameworks and strengthen women’s civil rights related to divorce, property, child support and custody. So, our women can walk away safely and leave behind their abusive partners.
Be psychologically fit and stay alive because we deserve better. If “he” cannot protect you, then he should “give you the reward you had earned, and let your works bring praise at the city gate” as pronounced in the Book of Proverbs 31:31.
RIP Lilian, and may justice be granted for your beautiful soul!!!
“PROMISE AMEGADZIE”
ACCRA-GHANA
