Impact of domestic violence on young women’s mental health in Uganda: a case Study of Kawempe Division in Kampala District

Abstract

Domestic violence has been defined as the physical and mental abuse of women within the household, in most cases by husbands, (Commonwealth Secretariat, 1992). In Uganda, it is becoming increasingly evident that domestic violence is not taken seriously because most communities view women as subordinates to men and properties of men and the clans as long as she is married. As a consequence, the physical abuse of women is not seriously looked at and is regarded as a private matter especially on the women’s side. Consequently, the magnitude of domestic violence is still unknown and it is yet to be determined. Meanwhile, violence is an intentional use of physical force or power threatened or actual, against oneself, another person or against a group and in most cases is likely to result into injuries, death or physical harm and deprivation (World Health Organization on Violence and Health, 2008, World Health Organization, 2010).According to Saturday Vision (September, 29th, 2007), the UN convention interpreted domestic violence as the violation of Human Rights. The UN data reveals that more than 40% of Ugandan women have suffered domestic violence. The 2006 Uganda demographic and health survey indicates that 60% of women aged 15-49 years’ experience physical violence, 39% of the women sexual violence while 16% experience violence during pregnancy. 48% of every married women reported physical violence by their husband or former husband.