Talking about domestic violence: A handbook for ... - Engagingmen.net

Topic
Session 8: Civil registration
and its advantages
Key points
• Civil registration is important for a number of reasons including
to file for divorce, to claim the rights as a spouse or for a child in
a divorce case (e.g. rights to division of joint property, alimony
for the spouse, child support (for food, clothing and education),
child custody and visiting rights and to ensure rights over the
property of the deceased.
• Civil registration includes registering the planned marriage at
the commune office of the bride at least ten days before the
planned wedding day, obtaining the marriage certificate from
the commune office after the wedding, registering the birth of
children within 30 days of the birth of the child, and obtaining a
death certificate within 15 days of the death of relatives. These
activities are done at the commune office.
Session 9: Divorce
• There are advantages and disadvantages to divorce.
• Advantages include that women can be free and away from
the harm and damage caused by the perpetrators, they have an
opportunity to find a new and caring partner and that children
no longer suffer from the father’s actions.
• A disadvantage of divorce is that generally, the perpetrators
are also the breadwinners of the families, which means the
income of the family may be reduced. Also, the perpetrators
are not always willing to support their children, especially if
they have found a new partner. Divorced women are also often
stigmatised by their communities.
Session 10: Resources available
in the community
• There are many social resources available to victims of domestic
violence, including representatives from the office of Women’s
Affairs, the Women and Children’s focal point in the Commune
Council, the Village Chief, the police, the Provincial court, the
health centre and the Village Facilitator.
• Friends, family and neighbours of the victim can support victims
of domestic violence by listening to and supporting the victim,
advising her of what her options are, and offering her a safe
place to stay.
• All of these people have a role to play in both preventing
domestic violence and protecting victims.
Talking about Domestic Violence
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