The basis of marriage according to the holy books is love between man and woman, for companionship, procreation, and family integration among others.
Traditional, religious or court marriages have laid down rules that guide and instruct couples about the rights and privileges as directed by the holy books, traditions, customs and law of the land.
In some marriages, the rules or laws guiding the institution have often been compromised leading to an untimely death for some women and men, with the spate of domestic violence increasing.
Women, who are mostly victims of domestic violence, have refused to also speak up because of the ugly culture of silence in toxic marriages and the doctrines against divorce in religious circles as well as procedures involved in divorce cases
This captures the most recent case of a popular gospel artiste, Mrs Osinachi Nwachukwu, who died after an alleged case of domestic violence she suffered at the hands of her husband.
One way out of this is that women should speak up against gender-based violence in their marriages to save them from the untimely death or life-threatening injuries.
Covering up toxic marriages will not stop domestic violence but it will further encourage the ugly trend, making the children in such marriages mentally unstable and depressed.
It is high time for the media, civil society organizations to swing into action by educating women on their rights and privileges as stated in the Marriage Act and seeking help rather than the mentality of enduring an abusive relationship
Churches, mosques and the traditional institution should re-strategize towards preaching mental, emotional and physical safety of men and women in marriages rather than hammering against divorce even where life is being threatened.
On its part, the government should make marital laws more effective to make couples aware of the penalty and its implications when either partner is abused or rights are violated.
Olufisoye Adenitan
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