Gender reports show an increment on cases reported on abuse and domestic violence to men.
In a recent conversation with the state owned media PSM, Deputy Director of Gender Ministry, Ms Aminath Rishmy said that often people get hesitant to report violence towards men, but recently the number of reported cases of abuse and violence towards men have increased. She also added that men hesitate to report violence and abuse towards them because of how society expects men to be, and this is something the society needs to change.
Moreover, Ms Rishmy further highlighted that both Men and Women will experience psychological effects from abuse and violence, although they may experience or react to it differently hence we cannot just validate only feelings of the woman and invalidate the feelings of a man.
The Ministry of Gender has recorded more cases on abuse and violence towards women and children. Reporting of abuse and violence towards men is very rare in the Maldives. Reluctance to view themselves as victims stems from considering their complaints to be a major weakness.
An independent research on ‘why men do not seek help’ stated that Men do not seek assistance because of what they describe as “societal obstacles against men and lack of support.” Obstacles mentioned include denial, fear, shame and embarrassment, stigmatization, and the fact that they do not receive equal treatment as a service target. They note that consequently, men minimize their abuse and attempt to avoid social stigma regarding their inability to protect themselves, and often end up concealing or denying the abuse.
In a recent conversation with the state owned media PSM, Deputy Director of Gender Ministry, Ms Aminath Rishmy said that often people get hesitant to report violence towards men, but recently the number of reported cases of abuse and violence towards men have increased. She also added that men hesitate to report violence and abuse towards them because of how society expects men to be, and this is something the society needs to change.
Moreover, Ms Rishmy further highlighted that both Men and Women will experience psychological effects from abuse and violence, although they may experience or react to it differently hence we cannot just validate only feelings of the woman and invalidate the feelings of a man.
The Ministry of Gender has recorded more cases on abuse and violence towards women and children. Reporting of abuse and violence towards men is very rare in the Maldives. Reluctance to view themselves as victims stems from considering their complaints to be a major weakness.
An independent research on ‘why men do not seek help’ stated that Men do not seek assistance because of what they describe as “societal obstacles against men and lack of support.” Obstacles mentioned include denial, fear, shame and embarrassment, stigmatization, and the fact that they do not receive equal treatment as a service target. They note that consequently, men minimize their abuse and attempt to avoid social stigma regarding their inability to protect themselves, and often end up concealing or denying the abuse.
