Domestic Violence is Alive & Well in Djibouti

August 30, 2009

Unfortunately, domestic violence is international. I know of nowhere on earth that it doesn't exist, even here in Djibouti. One of the women who works in our compound has been beaten and burned with cigarettes by her husband of two years. She is an Afar, just 23 years old. She is now living with her parents in Djibouti City on the weekends and feels safe there. The court has told her husband not to come near her. But, she is still fearful, cannot sleep at night and, even after repeated reasurrances that the guards at the Salt Investment compound at Lac Assal would never let him in, she is still terrified. She is seeking a divorce. But, I have yet to understand the process or the time frame.

Just a little cultural background:

In Djibouti there are mainly two cultures represented both of which are traditionally Muslim: the Afars and the Issas (Somalies who live and raise their families in Djibouti). In general, the Somalie Issas are taller and more slender in build. The Afars are shorter. The Afars tend to be more physical is their confrontations. I am told that in Somali culture, boys and men are taught never to hit or hurt their sisters or wives or women, in general. I don't know for sure that it is true. In the Afar culture, woman are not as precious.

The Somali elders encourage young people to look outside of their families to marry. In the Afar culture, you are encouraged to marry your cousin. This is what this young woman did. This makes it very difficult for an Afar woman to get out of an abusive marriage. Her marriage is enmeshed in the entire family. The reason this is traditionally done, I am told, is to keep the family name alive for generations.

In the Afar tribes (as well as the Somali tribes)individuals are named in a very precise way. Your mother chooses whatever first name she thinks you should have - that goes for boys or girls. Your second name is your father's first name and your third name is your grandfather's first name. People are addressed by their first name and referenced in conversation by their first name.

In the Afar culture, the names that are chosen have a religious connotation - out of the Koran. In the Somali culture, the names that are chosen come from their descendants.

John and I have been told that we can tell whether a person is Afar or Somali by their names. We are learning. And, I am sure that there is some assimilation going on.

We continue to learn about this rich culture. But, cannot we do something to stop the abuse of women around the world?