CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1                        BackgroundOf The Study

Violence against women in the home has been part of human history and human societies have lived with it without feeling that it was anything wrong (Godwin, 2005). Violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women have lead to domination over and discrimination against women by men to the prevention of the full advancement of women. Violence against women continues to be global epidemic that kills. Tortures and maims physically, psychological, sexually and emotionally. It is one of the most pervasive of human rights violation that denies women of their security, equality, dignity, self-worth and right to enjoy fundamental freedom. Violence against women is present in most countries in the world, cutting across boundaries of culture, class, education, income, ethnicity  and age (UN declaration on the elimination of violence against women and general assembly resolution, 1993).

Women aid collective (WACOL 2004) stated that domestic violence could be anything that constitutes an action meted out to someone which is capable of depriving the individual from his or her basic human right. (Womenaid collective 2004) added that domestic violence is a form of bulling whereby a person is dealt with physically, thus resulting to injuryon the victim  just the perpetrator does not know of any other way to handle the situation.

Kantor in yogo (2008), stated that domestic violence is a pressing global issue which is often associated with women’s isolated from supportive kim ties. It is an essential component of gender-based violence which as been defined as those actions and activities that cause physical, psychological and emotional harm to a person just because of more  misunderstanding, (ityavyar in okeph, 2005). As a phenomenon how ever, violence against women relate to a broad spectrum of issues affecting the existence of the female specie in relation to the family. The female folks suffer in their matrimonial homes because God almighty  constituted  marriage in the garden of Eden, made women  help mate and consequently our social  system places women in a disadvantage position (Okpeh, 1999).

The study of secretary general of united nation (2004) explained that early marriage involves the marriage of a child below the age of 18 years. Young girls have not achieved full maturity and capacity to act, and lack ability to control their sexuality. When they marry and have children, their health can be adversely affected. Early marriage has  inflicted dangerous and deviating affects on young girls who are compelled to tie the knot in most cases.

                The convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (Cedaw) adopt in (1979) affirmed that the principle of fundamental rights and freedom of every human being are guided by a broad concept of human right that stretches beyond civil and political rights to the core issues of economic survival, health and education that affect the quality of daily life most women and children. United nation general assembly (1993) postulated that violence abusive behavior are responsible for poor family relationship, although personality conflicts and troubles within a marriage affect intimate behavior, (Olson and detrain 2006).

Htt:// Bahai-library. Com. (2000) stated that, family relationship refers to unity which is strengthened  by love. The members  of the family all have duties and responsibility  toward one another and to the family  as a whole . These duties and  responsibilities vary from member to member because of  their natural  relationship.  Such behavior  can be seen in a  man  that stopped   the wife from government employment and made her to engage in preparation and sales of local wine (Burukutu) for many years. The womancould not further her education after primary school certificate.

1.2                        Statement of Problem

This study’s problem was based on, the researcher’s experiences, conversations and observations on the happenings in families.  Husbands  and  wives do not discuss family  issues but husbands  take sole decisions.  Through interactions with friends and colleagues,  women talk  about their situations at  home, there they commonly  abused by their spouses through  battering . sexual abuse, giving  out female children in marriage limit education, affects young girl’s academic pursuits, the  future compromised and other opportunities   often  leading  to early child bearing  affects female reproductive organs and  health problems  such as unsafe abortion, and obstetric fistula. Husbands  take decision whether  it suits the family or not. Though most wives  and children suffer the  consequences  of the  heads  of the families decisions.

 It is also observed  that  violation of women  at home has made women  situation difficult  to participate fully in issues  cornering them   in the home and in the society . as such, women have no freedom  to speak for themselves  because of  fear of punishment  from their  husbands. Men think women are meant for giving  birth, taking  care of the children and doing only domestic works. The problem statement of the study therefore was whether  domestic  violence against  had effects on family relations.

1.3                        Objectives Of The Study

The main objective of the study was to assess domestic   violence against women on family relationship.

The specific objectives were to:

1. Assess the effects of spousal abuse against  women on family relationship  in Taraba State;
2. Examine  the effect  of sexual abuse against women on family relationship
3.  Identify the effects of  early marriage  of young girls on family relationship in  Taraba State; and
4.  Examine  the effects of  deprivation of women  rights  in decision making on family  relationship in Taraba state.

1.4                        Research Questions

 The following  research hypotheses were postulated:-

Ho1: there is no significance relationship  between the effect  of spousal  abuse against women and family relationship  in  Taraba State.

Ho2: There   is   no significance relationship between  the effect  of sexual abuse against women and family  relationship in Taraba State.

HO3: there is no  significance relationship   between the effects of deprivation  of women’s right in decision making and family relationship in Ikot Ekpene L.G.A.

H04:There is no significant relationship between the effect   of deprivation  of women’s right  in decision making  and family  relationship  in Ikot Ekpene

1.5        Basic Assumption

1. This study assumed that domestic violence against  women affects women physically, morally, emotionally and psychologically . This retards the progress of families,  the  state and nation at large.
2. It is  assumed that when  domestic violence  against women  is controlled, it will reduce the rate  of sexually transmitted diseases (HIV/AIDS) and there  will  be fewer  rates  of deaths in the families and state.

 It assumed that  talks on domestic  violence against women will create awareness, thereby allowing women  to participate in decision making in the family which will contribute to the development  of the families, state  and Nigeria as a nation