research.
currently, as part of my internship, I am conducting a research project on domestic violence among market women in Accra. The other day, we began surveying over 500 women and 100 men in the 3 main markets in the Ga East District about marriage, sex and domestic violence. Later, we will take the surveys and conduct interviews and focus groups.
At first, I did not think the women would be receptive to our questions. I would think they would get mad at the silly American girl asking if their husbands beat them and how many times a week they have sex with their husbands, but it has been the opposite experience so far. The women have been so candid with me. They never refuse to answer a question, they often do laugh at me because of the sensitive subject matter, but they love speaking with me and are willing to help me. I think a lot of this has to do with the fact that domestic violence is not a buzz word in this country, and many thing that are taboo in the states that have to do with physical and sexual abuse are not seen as bad things here.
There has only been one other research study on domestic violence in Ghana, so it has also been difficult predicting what the answers to the survey questions would be. Domestic Violence is not taboo in Ghana. Many women so far have said that many husbands in Ghana discipline their wives, and that it is not okay to leave your husband if he is abusing you.
So far, I have enjoyed working with these women so much, it is hot and difficult to understand them most of the time, so it takes up a significant amount of energy, and my throat is sore from speaking over the hussle and bussle of the market, but I am learning so much more in the field than I would anywhere else, and I am very excited for this finished product.
