The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes violence against women (VAW) as a severe public health issue and a violation of human rights. According to the WHO (2013), violence against women can manifest in multiple forms: physical, sexual, psychological, and economic. Among these, physical violence remains one of the most visible and widely documented forms globally.
1. Definition of Physical Violence (WHO)
The WHO defines physical violence as the intentional use of physical force with the potential to cause death, disability, injury, or harm. This includes, but is not limited to:
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Hitting, slapping, kicking, and beating
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Strangling or suffocating
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Burning or scalding
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Using weapons or objects to cause harm
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Shoving or pushing with force
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Denial of necessary medical care
“Physical violence includes acts such as slapping, hitting, kicking and beating, and is one of the most common forms of intimate partner violence” (WHO, 2013, Global and Regional Estimates of Violence against Women).
2. Physical Violence in Mauritius
In Mauritius, the Ministry of Gender Equality has reported a rising number of cases of domestic violence, the majority being physical assaults on women. According to a 2019 report from the Mauritius Police Force, over 2,000 cases of gender-based violence were reported, with physical assault being the most frequent.
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The Protection from Domestic Violence Act (1997) was amended in 2022 to strengthen protection for victims, including quicker issue of protection orders.
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However, socio-cultural stigma, economic dependence, and limited rural outreach often hinder reporting.
Example: In 2021, a 29-year-old woman from Quatre Bornes was brutally beaten by her husband, leading to hospitalization, which sparked a national debate about the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms.
3. United Kingdom (UK)
In the UK, physical violence against women is treated as a criminal offense under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
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According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), an estimated 1.6 million women experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales in 2020, a substantial proportion involving physical harm.
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The UK government funds multi-agency risk assessment conferences (MARACs) and Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) to support survivors.
Example: The case of Clare Wood, murdered by her ex-partner in 2009 after repeated physical abuse, led to the implementation of Clare's Law, allowing individuals to inquire about their partner's history of abuse.
4. United States (US)
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies physical violence under the broader scope of intimate partner violence (IPV).
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Nearly 1 in 4 women have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner (CDC, 2017).
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Laws such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994, reauthorized in 2022, have expanded legal protections, shelters, and judicial procedures for survivors.
Example: The widely publicized case of Nicole Brown Simpson, murdered in 1994, prompted national awareness and legal reform regarding domestic abuse.
5. India
India faces a significant burden of physical violence against women, often exacerbated by patriarchal norms, dowry practices, and social stigma.
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According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), 30% of ever-married women aged 18-49 have experienced physical violence.
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Physical abuse includes beating, burning, and physical coercion often within marriage.
Example: The Nisha Sharma dowry case (2003) drew national attention to the intersection of dowry and physical abuse, leading to legal scrutiny under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalizes cruelty by husband or relatives.
6. South Africa
South Africa has among the highest rates of gender-based violence globally. The Demographic and Health Survey (2016) reported that 21% of women aged 18–49 have experienced physical violence by a partner.
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Physical violence often escalates to femicide. In 2021, South Africa recorded a femicide rate five times higher than the global average.
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The Domestic Violence Act 1998 criminalizes such acts, but enforcement remains uneven.
Example: The murder of Reeva Steenkamp by Olympian Oscar Pistorius in 2013 highlighted the intersection of fame, domestic violence, and impunity.
7. Palestine
In Palestine, physical violence against women is shaped by both socio-political instability and patriarchal societal norms.
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A 2019 Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) report indicated that 29% of ever-married women had experienced physical violence by their husbands.
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Access to justice is constrained by overlapping legal systems (civil, religious, and tribal), and under-reporting remains high.
Example: The 2020 case of Isra Ghrayeb, allegedly murdered by her family in a so-called "honor killing", sparked widespread protests and calls for stronger legal frameworks to combat violence against women.
Conclusion
Physical violence against women, as recognized by WHO, is a universal issue affecting women in all regions, regardless of economic development, legal systems, or cultural contexts. While international frameworks and national laws attempt to address this, enforcement gaps, societal attitudes, and victim stigma often impede real progress. A multi-sectoral approach — encompassing legal, health, educational, and community sectors — remains crucial to eradicate physical violence and ensure women’s safety and dignity.
References
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World Health Organization (2013). Global and regional estimates of violence against women. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241564625
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2017). National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey.
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Office for National Statistics (2020). Domestic abuse in England and Wales overview.
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National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), India (2019-21). Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
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South Africa Demographic and Health Survey (2016).
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Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (2019). Violence Survey in the Palestinian Society.
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Mauritius Police Force (2019). Gender-Based Violence Report.
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Domestic Abuse Act (UK, 2021); VAWA (US, 1994, 2022); Protection from Domestic Violence Act (Mauritius, 1997, amended 2022).
