Domestic violence pervasive in the world is now engulfing Maldives. Native women suffer disturbingly high levels of violence but have little protection from it. Majority of the violence against women and girls occurs in the home. There is often a cold and sinister silence by the government about these allegations.
Its often repulsive how some people downplay its impact and its importance and how ignorant and tolerant people can be.
1. 1 in 3 Maldivian women aged 15-49, have been through some form of physical or sexual violence at least once in their lives.
2. 1 in 9 reported experiencing severe violence like being punched, kicked, choked, burnt or having a weapon used against them.
3. 1 in 8 acknowledged having experienced childhood sexual abuse under the age of 15.
4. Women in detention in the Maldives are routinely subjected to sexual assault by police and security services.
Legislative flaws
There is no specific definition of rape in the region therefore marital rape is not a conceivable crime under the law. Also, a rape is difficult to prove. A man can only be convicted of rape if there are two male witnesses or four female witnesses willing to testify or if he confesses in court. Even if he confesses in police custody, he can retract his statement in court and thus cannot be charged.
In addition there is no legislation that deals exclusively with violence against women including domestic violence and workplace harassment.
Can something be done?
Amendments of laws must be done that restrict and disempower women. Certain laws must be enforced that keep a strict check on gender based violence.
However, law alone cannot combat the problem. It is a combined issue that has to be tackled collectively, it calls upon every body to work in unison.
Women ought to be given greater control over their money and their bodies, something that can only happen if men realize the rights of women to those things.
If women have more control over themselves and their situations, greater self-esteem and a more acute sense of their own personal power, then they have more chance of protecting themselves from such forms of violence.
