Domestic violence in Ghana

Domestic violence is prevalent in Ghana,[1] owing in part to a deep cultural belief that it is socially acceptable for men to discipline their wives physically.

[6] The problem of domestic violence is more prevalent in rural areas and the northern regions of Ghana.

[7][8][9] [10][11] [12][13][14][15][16] According to a 2011 survey by MICS, 60 percent of Ghanaian women believe that husbands are justified in beating their wives, for a variety of reasons.

In 2008, 38.7 percent of Ghanaian women between the ages of 15 and 49 who had ever been married had experienced physical, emotional or sexual violence by a husband or partner at some point in their lives.

[17][18][19] Reasons mentioned in the MICS report include: “if she goes out without telling him; if she neglects the children; if she argues with him; if she refuses sex with him; if she burns the food; if she insults him; if she refuses to give him food; if she has another partner; if she steals; or if she gossips.”[20][21] Ghanaian women who are poorly educated and from poor socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to believe domestic violence is justified.