Domestic Violence in the Arab World

Abstract

This chapter discusses the key factors impacting rates of domestic violence in the Arab world, particularly violence against women. It focuses on the historical roots of domestic violence represented in traditional patterns of behavior, and their creation of a patriarchal system. From a historical perspective, this was based on giving preference to males over females, as well as marginalizing and persecuting women. The chapter also highlights the essential role of gender culture in perpetuating discrimination against women and subsequently creating a culture of silence toward violence against women as such violence was considered to be a private family matter. In addition to the role of society in practicing violence against women and neglecting the rights of women subjected to violence, other significant issues discussed include factors perpetuating violence in the dominant culture, laws, and the silence of women. The chapter also sheds light on the gap that exists between the academic perspective of violence and cultural perceptions. This culture does not consider anything other than extreme physical violence to be violence, which has led to an increase in the rate of hidden violence in the Arab world.