Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Violence against women in Arab and Islamic countries
Other Titles:	Archives of women's mental health
Authors:	Belhadj, A Ghachem, R Bouasker, A Douki, S Nacef, F
Keywords:	Mental health;Religious groups;Cross-cultural
Year:	2003
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag KG
Notes:	This article presents the issues of domestic violence in Arab and Islamic countries and refers to research surveys in Egypt, Palestine, Israel and Tunisia, with regard to increasing frequency and serious consequences. It cites studies on mental health consequences of women’s experiences with physical abuse and discusses societal indifference to wife abuse. It argues that selective readings from the Koran are used to support men who beat their wives. It explains that religious justifications and preservation of the family’s honour have led to abusers, victims, health care professionals and police remaining silent about domestic violence. It examines how the practices and laws in ‘Islamic’ countries have deviated from or are unrelated to the origins of Islam since many of the practices are based on cultural or traditional customs which have been added into these societies. It concludes that a fair reading of the Koran shows that wife abuse, like genital mutilation and ‘honour killings’, are a result of culture rather than religion.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/12864
ISSN:	14341816
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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