Demystifying Domestic Violence

Another Tuesday is here. It's time to talk about Non-Governmental Organizations.
I spent a significant part of yesterday monitoring the Shonde murder.

Many of us wonder why Ronke Bewaji Shonde did not walk away from the abusive environment she found herself in. I sincerely don't know why. Maybe it was the Stockholm Syndrome. Or maybe she was not financially independent. If we choose to believe Lekan's "side of the story", we'll remember that he used to give her 8000 Naira weekly to cook soup. Which financially empowered woman waits for such a stipend? Assuming it is true...

Some of the women in abusive relationships/marriages cannot leave because they have nowhere to go. Their parents have told them that they don't have a room anymore in their father/mother's house. Some of their pastors have told them that divorce (or even separation) from an abusive partner is a sin. They are supposed to Pray Until Something Happens (P.U.S.H). They are told that the abuse is a trial of their faith and if they can persevere, they will be victorious.

Some of us will laugh and say that the woman does not value her life. I don't disagree. However, until we've walked in their shoes. I have tagged three Amazons in this post. Each of them has walked in those shoes one way or the other. However, that's not where their stories end. They have survived and today, they are doing what they can to help others survive this scourge (amongst other causes).

Barrister Abiade Olawanle is the founder of the Human of Substance Empowerment Initiative (H.O.S.E.I).

Mrs Laila St. Matthew Daniels is the founder of ACTS Generation.

Mrs Olubunmi Ajai Layode is in charge of The Green Haven.

All three of them are doing their bit to help victims leave abusive environments, get proper counselling and become responsible members of the society again. They also reach out to abusers who are willing to accept that they have a problem and need help.
Please feel free to ask your questions and I believe they'll do justice to them. We'll also share how you can contribute positively to ending the scourge (after teaching men to be protectors/providers and women to be nurturers and helpmeets).