The Role of Religion and Culture in Addressing Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is one of such issues that are not seen.

It is common in basically all societies but may often be concealed by misunderstanding, embarrassment, or secrecy.

Although advocacy organisations and legal systems continue to battle protection and justice, religion and culture remain to be a crucial element that cannot be ruled out.

The two have an implication in the minds, emotions and actions of societies. At times they are contributors of the problem. What is more critical perhaps is they can be part of the solution.

Frankly speaking, the topic of domestic violence was never welcomed by religion and society.

In some cases, religious scriptures are used to persecute the victims or justify male superiority.

The emphasis on respect to the family may be stronger, culturally, than putting emphasis on individual welfare.

Women reporting abuse are called in some communities to endure saying, "You need to endure." Ain!t that your job? It 's sad, but happen it anyway.

This is not the whole context though.

Primarily, religion should support justice, benevolence and respect.

All the major religions have precepts that support the dignity of all people. An example would be the Christianity faith which believes that love is gentle and non aggressive but not bossy or assertive.

In Islam there is an emphasis on forgiveness and respecting of others in the marital union.

Another recurring theme of the traditional African religion is the risk to the weak and the encouragement of the well being within the society.

As a matter of fact, religious doctrines have the potential to be strong counter-narratives to abuse through the prism of understanding and fairness.

Culture is more liquid, and less codified, thereby harder. Nevertheless, it is also possible to change it.

Take the amount of cultural practices that have altered over the decades; what was once accepted as the norm is now something that is haram.

Change does take place though it may not happen at a fast rate especially when voices within begin to say no to the status quo.

The role of initiating that change lies in the hands of faith leaders, teachers, artists and even elders.

A crusade against an abusive preaching. Nice folktale. There is a saying called breeding out of business.

It consists of collaborating with classic authorities, clergymen, priests and sheiks.

Naturally enough there is tension. Others assume that an attempt to resist orthodox positions or studies is a slippery slope that risks poor cohesion in a society.

That might be true in part. But would that not require that material to be strong enough to take care of the safety and justice?

In my view, what is needed or lacks is a reinterpretation appropriate to lived reality especially by the survivors of religion and culture rather than a rejection of religion or culture.

Cultural pride is not abusive at all. This implies compelling them to emphasize the fact that violence is not spiritual.

It will not help to turn everything around all of a sudden.

That will be a one-up against it. There will be cringe dialogues. But on the side of weakness silence has never been a plausible ally. It has its own remedies already.

Suppose that culture and religion lead to silence in some people, then they should also lead to vocalisation in others.

It has already got healing ways. The only question is the willingness of someone to use them.

Finally, the fight against domestic abuse requires a shift in thinking which takes into consideration the significant roles of religion and culture in the lives of people besides laws and regulations.

It is not only an abstract thinking that makes no difference in life; this impacts moral limits and family organization, as well as everyday decisions.

It is only with the beginning of this real change when leaders such as religious leaders and cultural leaders take a stand when they not only oppose negative interpretations but emphasize themes of love, respect and dignity.

It should not be given up but it should be remodeled to work in favor of protection than destruction.

Due to the fact that when the culture and religion speak up against violence people will listen. And that is the start of freedom in some moments.