Журнал судебной психологии

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Impact of Domestic Violence, Endogamy and Divorce on Women’s Health Before and After COVID-19

Abigail Affiong Mkperedem, David Durojaiye, Abiodun Olawale Afolabi, Charity Aremu, Stephen Otu, Etta-oyong, Udochukwu Iheanacho Erondu, Cyril Abang

To explore the COVID-19 amplified flaws in the prevalence of women subjugation in marriages without equitable escape route (divorce) even in ill-health in the Nigerian society. This paper considered and teased information from the King James Version of the Holy Bible, Quran, related books, journals, articles, and internet commentaries on the impact of domestic violence, endogamy and divorce on women’s health in Nigeria prior and during COVID-19 pandemic.

The rate of divorce or separation from any marital setup in Nigeria has increased despite the popularity of endogamous marriage. The 1970 Nigerian Matrimonial Causes Act was to control the termination of legalized unions as the customary annulment requirement from the three systems of statutory, traditional and Islamic unions which are based on different customs, affects women more than the men in Nigeria owing to the profound cultural norm of patriarchy. Resultantly, many women are either ensnared in an abusive union or a short lived contract which emanated from long standing cultural and religious doctrines learned from formative years. The issue of endogamy has been culturally indoctrinated into every child from young age to adulthood, making the obvious thought of negating this age long custom a crime in itself. With the recent lockdown activity across the states amplifying flaws in societal norms in the aspect of marriage, post COVID-19 will be a time to reconstruct changes in social norms. We recommend women’s marital partners as well as separation choices are supported; appropriate communication strategies, economic, social and healthcare support should also be provided to women in divorce stages. Programs that promote cultural and religious pluralism should be promoted and parents should allow their young adults should be allowed to exercise marriage and religious sovereignty freedom.