No Man Has the Right to Abuse a Woman: Insights from Angela Dwamena Aboagye on Ending Domestic Violence

Introduction

In a compelling call for equality and respect, Angela Dwamena Aboagye, a prominent lawyer and Executive Director of the Ark Foundation in Ghana, declared on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on November 21, 2024, that “no man has the right to abuse a woman” under any circumstances. This statement came in response to a disturbing viral video showing a man violently assaulting a woman, highlighting the pervasive issue of domestic violence against women.

Dwamena Aboagye emphasized that marriage does not grant men dominion over their spouses. Her remarks underscore women’s rights in marriage, stressing that women are autonomous individuals entitled to the same protections as men. This introduction sets the stage for understanding intimate partner violence (IPV), a global crisis disproportionately affecting women, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where cultural norms often perpetuate such abuse.

The Viral Video Context

The incident that sparked widespread outrage involved a man physically attacking his female partner, captured on video and shared across social media platforms like Facebook. Ghanaian police subsequently arrested the perpetrator and two others involved in related assaults, demonstrating initial legal accountability. Dwamena Aboagye used this platform to educate listeners on why such acts are not isolated but symptomatic of deeper societal issues.

Analysis

Angela Dwamena Aboagye’s commentary provides a multifaceted analysis of domestic violence against women, blending legal expertise, statistical evidence, and sociocultural critique. She dismantles the myth that marriage confers control rights to husbands, asserting that women possess equal autonomy. This perspective aligns with international human rights frameworks, such as the UN’s Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which Ghana has ratified.

Challenging Marital Entitlements

Dwamena Aboagye articulated: “Men should understand that women are equally autonomous… the rights that men are entitled to in marriages, women are equally entitled to.” This challenges patriarchal interpretations of marriage, where physical or emotional dominance is normalized. She clarified that matrimony does not license harm, a point echoed in global efforts to redefine marital dynamics.

Prevalence in Sub-Saharan Africa

Far from being an anomaly, the viral assault reflects a “common spectacle” in sub-Saharan Africa. Dwamena Aboagye referenced verifiable data: according to United Nations reports, approximately 140 women are killed daily worldwide by intimate partners or family members, equating to one every 10 minutes. In Africa, the femicide rate stands at 2.5 women per 100,000 population due to abuse-related causes.

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent reports confirm that about 17% of women aged 15 and older in sub-Saharan Africa have experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence. These figures illustrate the scale of the problem, urging systemic interventions.

Burden of Marriage on Women

Dwamena Aboagye highlighted additional marital burdens, including pregnancy and childbirth risks. Maternal mortality remains a stark reality: WHO data shows that over 800 women die daily from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth globally, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing the highest rates. No men face equivalent risks from fatherhood, underscoring gender-specific vulnerabilities exacerbated by violence.

Summary

Angela Dwamena Aboagye’s address on Joy FM condemned a viral assault video while addressing the broader epidemic of violence against women in Africa. She affirmed women’s autonomy in marriage, cited alarming global and regional statistics on IPV and femicide, critiqued societal pressures to endure abuse, and called for men’s education on equality. Published by Life Pulse Daily on November 21, 2024, her words serve as a pedagogical tool for combating domestic abuse.

Key Points

Practical Advice

To address domestic violence against women, individuals and communities can take actionable steps. Education is foundational: men must learn about women’s rights in marriage through workshops and media campaigns. Women experiencing abuse should:

Recognizing Signs of Abuse

Physical assaults, like those in the viral video, are overt, but watch for emotional control, isolation, or financial dependence. Use tools like the WHO’s violence screening questionnaire.

Seeking Help

• Contact local hotlines, such as Ghana’s Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU).
• Document incidents with photos, videos, or medical reports for legal evidence.
• Build support networks via organizations like the Ark Foundation.

Prevention Strategies

Promote gender-sensitive schooling and premarital counseling emphasizing equality. Employers can implement anti-harassment policies, fostering safe environments.

Points of Caution

While addressing violence against women in Africa, caution against oversimplification. Societal and religious institutions often socialize women to prioritize marital endurance, with elders advising “prayer” over escape. This perpetuates cycles: older women, victims themselves, reinforce tolerance.

Avoiding Victim-Blaming

Dwamena Aboagye questioned: “How is this fathomable?” Communities must reject narratives blaming women for abuse, focusing instead on perpetrator accountability.

Resource Limitations

In resource-scarce areas, shelters and counseling are limited, heightening risks for leaving abusers.

Comparison

Comparing intimate partner violence statistics reveals stark disparities. Globally, WHO estimates 27% of women aged 15-49 experience physical or sexual IPV. Sub-Saharan Africa fares worse at 33% lifetime prevalence, per WHO’s 2021 Violence Against Women Prevalence Estimates, with the cited 17% likely referring to past-year experiences.

Global vs. Regional

These comparisons highlight Africa’s elevated risks, driven by poverty, weak enforcement, and norms tolerating marital violence.

Legal Implications

In Ghana, domestic violence against women is criminalized under the Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732), which prohibits physical, emotional, sexual, and economic abuse. Penalties include fines and imprisonment. The viral video case led to arrests, exemplifying enforcement.

Regional Frameworks

Africa’s Maputo Protocol (2003) mandates states to enact anti-violence laws and provide redress. Victims can seek protection orders, divorce on abuse grounds, or compensation. However, underreporting persists due to stigma, with only 10-20% of cases prosecuted effectively, per local studies.

Internationally, CEDAW General Recommendation 35 obligates states to prevent gender-based violence, holding Ghana accountable.

Conclusion

Angela Dwamena Aboagye’s resolute message—”No man has the right to abuse a woman”—resonates as a clarion call against domestic violence against women. By affirming women’s rights in marriage, exposing statistics on violence against women in Africa, and critiquing endurance norms, she educates and empowers. Collective action—through policy, education, and support systems—is essential to eradicate IPV, ensuring marriages are partnerships of mutual respect, not peril. Let’s commit to a violence-free future.

FAQ