Her ex-husband insulted her daily, accusing her of doing things incorrectly and forcing her to ask for his forgiveness even when she had not done anything wrong. Monica’s husband once accused her of having an affair because she spent “too long” on shopping chores.
A prisoner
“He was angry with me all the time, I was not allowed to leave the house. He would lock the gate and carry the keys to work. As if that was not enough, he would order me to smile, saying I did not have anything to be angry about and that I should not be ungrateful for everything that he did for me. I went through hell in my 10-year marriage. A day would not pass without being beaten whilst my children watched. I could have left when I was 26 but I hoped that things would eventually change for the better,” she said.
As a result of the beatings, Monica became paralyzed in 2010 but the situation got worse as her husband was now threatening to kill her.
“A friend took me to Musasa Project offices and through their assistance I escaped from my husband. Musasa helped me to press charges against my ex-husband for the abuse and death threats. They housed me for three months and now my life is generally back on track and I have moved back to my parents’ house,” she added.
Monica is still undergoing psychological treatment and regularly visits Musasa Project for support.
Robbed and penniless
Twenty-seven-year-old Jane is a secretary at a local company.
“My husband would take all my money when I got my salary. He would use it without consulting me and I almost considered quitting my job because I was working for nothing.
Report abuse
“I could not even afford to buy some underwear and had to wear torn ones. He would drive me to work and asked me to prepare a packed lunch from home. My life was complicated and I almost committed suicide. Each time I told my relatives and his, they said I should be strong although I was hurting inside,” she told The Zimbabwean.
However, when she visited Musasa Project earlier this year, she got legal advice and confronted her husband.
Musasa Project Legal and Advocacy Officer, Vimbainashe Njovana, said women were now conscious of the Domestic Violence Act and were at least reaching out for help. She said communities should play their role in the fight against abuse because most cases ended up being fatal.
“You can report a neighbour if you know he or she abuses a partner. This Act is not only used by husband and wife, it can be used by anyone,” she revealed.
She explained that people can obtain protection orders from court and they are valid for five years. The Domestic Violence Act (2007) provides for the protection of survivors of domestic violence and criminalises acts of abuse derived from any cultural or customary rites or practices that discriminate or degrade women.
Post published in: Politics