THE SUFFERING OF OUR WOMEN ( SEXUAL, PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE)

Women have been subjected to physical, sexual and psychological abuse and have suffered various effects throughout Ghana.
Though much has been said and discussed on the prevalence of domestic violence, less focus has been given on the effects of it on women in particular and society as a whole.
The social cost of violence against women is some how not calculated which has a drastic implication for the development of the country as a whole.

It is against this background that Wa Municipal was purposively selected for the study. It was basically a quantitative research.
The study employed both primary and secondary data sources including questionnaire administration, key informant interview, focus group discussion and review of relevant literature to gather the necessary data.
The study revealed that misunderstanding as a result of miscommunication, was the major causal factor of domestic violence as opposed to other literature which attribute gender violence cultural practices.

The study also identified that the effects of domestic violence are many but with the drastic effect being physical or bodily harm.
On the basis of the findings, several suggestions have been made with the view to combat or contain such social canker including the following:
Restructuring of societal powers and social construction of gender. This empowers women to take action or fight for their rights.

The government should vigorously enforce laws against perpetrators of domestic violence. Justice in this sense will reduce public perception of domestic violence against women as perceived merely as a private matter or cultural issue.