full version - World Organisation Against Torture

Violence Against Women: 10 Reports / Year 2003Draft Penal Code also does not envision a legal scheme to outlaw domesticviolence, favoring awareness raising campaigns instead. 19 Victims ofdomestic violence can initiate a case against their perpetrators under theassault provisions of the Transitional Penal Code.Domestic violence appears to be a grave problem in Eritrea despite limitedamounts of information on the topic. Because of the prevalence ofearly marriages in Eritrea, domestic violence is a pertinent subject concerningviolence against girls in Eritrea. Girls, when married before theage of 18, are at greater risk of physical and psychological violence perpetratedby their husbands or other members of their extended families.According to one study, conducted in 2001 in the Central Region ofEritrea, 40% of women have been victims of domestic violence. 20 As ofthat time, there were no counseling or mediation services provided fordomestic violence victims, nor were there any legal aid mechanisms forwomen who wanted to press charges. Additionally, that study indicatedthat prosecution for domestic violence will only be pursued where theviolence is life-threatening, meaning that a weapon must be used. 21Another regional study indicated that as many as 90% of women are subjectto domestic violence. 22 Specifically, most interviewees in the studyestimated that the rate of “sexual and gender-based violence” is between5% and 25%. However, it was pointed out that these estimates wouldchange drastically, resulting in a 90% prevalence rate, if domestic violencewas included within the definition of “sexual and gender-based violence.”23Very few women will report incidents of domestic violence to the authoritiesbecause issues of sexual violence are not openly discussed in Eritreansociety. 24 If a woman does speak out, she will most likely turn to a neighboror a friend, in which case, the neighbor or friend often makes an effortto reconcile the couple. 25OMCT is extremely concerned about the prevalence of domestic violencein Eritrea and is disappointed with the lack of specific legislation addressingthis form of violence and the lack government services to assist victims.It seems that women are not aware of their rights or cannot speakpublicly about the crime because of societal pressures. The governmenthas, under international law, an obligation to protect children from vio-204