Beaten Wife, Suicidal Woman: Domestic Violence in Kaliai, West New Britain

Among the options available to a battered wife in Papua New Guinea, that of taking her own life is often selected. In one community in West New Britain Province, almost all suicides are by women, & nearly 50% of them follow an incident of wife beating. Several case studies are presented to demonstrate the circumstances in which beaten wives take their own lives. Although there are other options, suicide is a culturally recognized & honorable alternative for abused women, who are shamed by the violence, but powerless against it. This alternative permits them to shift the burden of humiliation to their tormenters & enjoy some measure of vengeance. 36 References. AA