Domestic Violence and its effects on Women Development in South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract: Domestic violence is another form of gender-based violence as well as cultural practices affecting women and women development in Nigerian society. It can be defined as any form of purposeful, destructive and coercive behavior, used against one’s intimate spouse or partner. This research work exposes the concept of domestic violence and how it affects women development in the south eastern Nigeria, especially Imo and Anambra states. Women occupy a greater percentage of the human population; hence whatever affects them affects the society. Domestic violence comes in different forms, such as physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, verbal or economic. The problem is that domestic violence is becoming a normal way of life, as in most cases, women are advised to conceal this spousal abuse, as virtuous women and also to save their marriages. It further discovers that it has negative impacts on the life, development and wellbeing of the woman. In other words, this act has psychological effect/damage on women. It can also lead to deformity, psychological trauma and eventual death. It therefore concludes that domestic violence violates women’s fundamental rights, as such remains unacceptable in the society.