Socio-cultural violence and discrimination against women in Somalia:
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Date
2012-12
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Kampala International University, College of Humanities and social sciences.
Abstract
This research established Socio-Cultural Violence and Discrimination against Women
in Somalia. As specific objectives this study was set; to identify the major forms of socio
cultural violence and discrimination against women in Mogadishu, Somalia; to examine the
causes of violence and discrimination against women in Mogadishu; To establish the effects
of socio-cultural violence and discrimination on the women in Mogadishu Somalia and to
Suggest the possible ways of minimizing socio-cultural violence and discrimination against
women in Mogadishu, Somalia.The researcher employed descriptive correlation design and
used Slovene’s formula to determine a sample size of 160. Sampling was done using simple
random sampling technique. Information was obtained from respondents through selfadministered questionnaires and the researcher followed all the ethical considerations of
research. Data was analyzed in both qualitative and quantitatively using statistical
techniques such as frequency, percentages, mean and correlation matrix as well as
regression matrix. The findings indicated that women in Somalia are subjected to various
forms of socio-cultural violence and discrimination which include; son preference leading to
female foeticide, battering of women during pregnancy, neglect and marginal treatment to
women, sexual abuse, confinement within household, forced early marriages, acid
throwing, dowry related abuses and deaths, and wife battering, there exist various social,
cultural and economic and political factors that contribute to socio-cultural violence against
women in Somalia. These include; existence of a patriarchal society, discriminatory laws,
social practices, culture, religion and tradition, portrayal of women by media, vicious cycle
of poverty and economic dependency, violence against women leads to far-reaching
physical and psychological consequences; some with fatal outcomes. Among the physical
consequences identified include; as injury (from lacerations to fractures and internal organs
injury), Self-injurious behaviors (smoking, unprotected sex), STDs including HIV/AIDS,
unwanted pregnancy, The appropriate strategies for minimizing the level of socio-cultural
violence and discrimination against women identified during the study include; ensuring
equal education opportunities, criminalization of violence and discrimination against
women, political commitment, legislation, training and community support services,
coordination amongst various agencies, ratification to the international human rights
instruments, increase economic opportunities for women, education through media, and
establish community service systems. If these strategies are effectively implemented then
the level of socio-cultural violence will be minimized by a greater extent. The study has
found that there is a high prevalence of socio-cultural violence against women in
Mogadishu and Somalia as a whole. The prevalence of socio-cultural violence against
women in Mogadishu cuts across age, culture and socio-economic status. It follows
therefore that this age long evil against women is still prevalent despite so much
presentations in international conferences on women and their rights, the following
recommendations were formulated, There is need to do analysis using non parametric
methods in further studies, There is need to develop national and local action plans for
ending violence against women and girls in every country that bring the government,
women’s and other civil society organizations, the mass media and the private sector into a
coordinated, collective front against such human rights violations. There is need to make
justice accessible to women and girls by providing free legal and specialized services, and
increasing women in law enforcement and front line services.
Description
a Thesis Presented to the College of Higher Degrees and Research Kampala International University, Kampala, Uganda In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master in Human Rights and Development
Keywords
Socio-cultural, discrimination against women, Socio-cultural violence