Half a million women victims of physical violence in Algeria

About 500 thousands women experienced physical violence during 2006, according to a survey made by women’s issues families. The same survey said 50 percent of those women are affected by domestic violence.

Three-quarters of them are under the age of 45. About 30 percent are graduated from high school or university in addition to 15 percent of working women.

Violence spread much more among married couples. Divorced women and widows are the most vulnerable to violence. Two women out of 10 are subjected to humiliation inside their families and 5 women out of 100 are beaten.

As for married women aged between 19 and 64, violence forms recorded against them are beating, imprisonment and kicking out.

Two married women out of 10 are insulted everyday, said the survey. There are only 3 centres to receive women victims of violence. Three others are to be achieved soon, according to the same source. “Violence against women in Algeria needs direct and special care. This phenomenon has serious consequences on women and children’s health and familial cohesion,” says the survey.