Shama Al-Fattahi (21) was living a normal life with her husband, Hazem Battash, in the village of Al-Watif in Qa'atabah District, western Al-Dhalea Governorate, before Hazem killed her by slitting her throat on October 19, 2024.

Abdulmuti, Shama's brother, told "Barran Press" that Hazem killed his wife in front of their two daughters. He added that they had been married for five years without any disputes, and Hazem had never threatened Shama before the incident.

This is just one of dozens of incidents in Yemen in recent years, where the rate of violence and crime against women by their husbands has increased unprecedentedly, especially in central Yemen, according to community and judicial sources.

Statistics

"Barran Press" obtained statistics showing that more than 20 wives were killed by their husbands in Al-Dhalea Governorate alone over the past four years.

According to the statistics, these cases are currently being reviewed in the governorate's courts as follows: nine cases in the Al-Dhalea Court of Appeals, five in Qa'atabah Court, six in Damt Court, and one in Juban Court.

A judicial source, preferring to remain anonymous as they are not authorized to speak to the media, told "Barran Press" that the number of wives killed by their husbands is "higher than this number."

Social Causes

Social specialist Dr. Hafiz Al-Hashishi spoke to "Barran Press" about social causes driving some men to commit wife killings. Key factors include "family disintegration or weak family bonds, frequent family disputes, drug abuse, lack of adherence to religious and social values, declining educational levels, the spread of negative customs and traditions, and rising unemployment."

Dr. Al-Hashishi also cited "increased psychological, social, and economic pressures" as primary reasons for the spread of this phenomenon, along with marital infidelity, which puts women's lives at risk.

Another cause is "long-term separation of spouses," which Dr. Al-Hashishi said "reduces family bonds between couples."

Economic Causes

In addition to social causes, some pointed to economic pressures such as rising commodity prices, lack of jobs and income sources, and some husbands' stinginess towards their wives and children, sparking disputes between couples.

In an interview with "Barran Press," the victim's mother (M.A.) said her daughter was killed by her husband. She explained that he was a prominent trader who went bankrupt during the war. As his debts increased, he decided to kill his entire family and then commit suicide. However, neighbors intervened and prevented him from killing the rest of his family after he had already killed his wife and son.

Economic researcher Nabil Al-Sharabi confirmed multiple cases of this type, reportedly driven by economic reasons. He told "Barran Press" that "a husband's inability to meet his family's needs, accumulating debts, losing income sources, and reaching a state of total incapacity to provide for basic needs, coupled with personal pride and sometimes poor decision-making to manage the situation temporarily," are contributing factors.

Al-Sharabi added that "losing faith in God and severing the thread of hope in the Provider, leading to killing the wife and children and then committing suicide," is another factor.

"Just as economic factors can lead to family disintegration due to wives seeking divorce from husbands unable to provide household needs or luxuries, on the other hand, husbands unable to accept this may resort to killing their wives, sometimes along with their relatives, for economic reasons," Al-Sharabi explained.

He also pointed to other cases unrelated to poverty, such as "a husband's belief that his wife is wasting his money or spending it on harmful things like paying charlatans to gain control or prevent him from marrying another woman, which angers some husbands, causing them to lose control and resort to killing."

Psychological Causes

Other sources and victims' relatives spoke to "Barran Press" about psychological causes behind husbands' violence against their wives, including extreme jealousy, drug abuse, and psychological imbalance.

S.M. said one of his brothers suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder, accusing his wife of having an affair with their third brother. When his obsession increased, he killed them both (his wife and brother).

Abdulkarim Al-Faqih, secretary of Qa'atabah Court, told "Barran Press" that many cases of this type are "caused by accusations, excessive jealousy, and unjustified obsession driving the husband to kill."

Psychological and educational expert Aya Jad told "Barran Press" that "drug abuse and harsh childhood experiences are among the top reasons driving men to kill their wives."

Psychiatrist and neurologist Dr. Sakhr Al-Shaddadi spoke to "Barran Press" about various psychological reasons and motives driving husbands to commit such crimes, including "the husband suffering from a psychological problem or disorder, not receiving early help or being referred to a specialist."

Other reasons include "the husband developing doubts or delusions about his wife, either due to a damaged organ or brain issue or because of customs and traditions encouraging men to believe they have the right to beat and torture their wives if they disobey."

Dr. Al-Shaddadi also cited "drinking alcohol or taking drugs or medications without consulting a specialist" as contributing factors.

Male Dominance

Regarding the increase in wife killings, social researcher Dr. Salah Al-Haqab told "Barran Press" that it has two aspects: the first is positive, with increased awareness among women about the need for partnership between spouses rather than dominance and subordination.

The second aspect is catastrophic, where many individuals resort to imitation or caution during family disputes, potentially leading to a crime committed by the husband against his wife due to imitation or by the wife against her husband out of caution and fear.

According to Dr. Al-Haqab, "male dominance remains the sole dominant factor in many Yemeni regions' marital relationships, where the man appears as the absolute authority while the woman is subordinate."

This situation, Dr. Al-Haqab explained, results from "various reasons, primarily the concentration of different income sources in the man's hands while deliberately keeping women ignorant and confined to the home."

Overall, he said, "male dominance and authoritarianism remain the root cause of the problem and the reason for all forms of oppression, deprivation, and injustice women face."

Psychological Impact

Discussing the psychological impact of these crimes on victims' families and society, Dr. Al-Shaddadi said, "Any problem within the family nucleus has a positive or negative impact on the rest of society."

In cases of wife killings, the impact is negative, causing anxiety and fear among families about their daughters or wives' safety with their husbands. It also leads to a loss of security within the marital or family environment, reluctance among wives or homemakers to take on responsibilities, and a lack of patience or sacrifice to build a family out of fear of betrayal or murder by the partner.

This situation, Dr. Al-Shaddadi explained, causes instability within the family and society, reducing the ability to build families and communities and turning society into one unable or unwilling to bear the responsibility of building a family.

Solutions and Recommendations

To reduce these cases, Dr. Al-Shaddadi emphasized the need to "resolve family disputes and conflicts in a healthy and correct manner." He also recommended "regular visits to a psychological or family specialist from time to time" for psychologically affected couples.

Dr. Al-Shaddadi advised against "marrying individuals with psychological disorders without any attention or follow-up."

Others interviewed by "Barran Press" recommended taking time and not rushing in choosing a spouse, selecting a suitable wife or husband based on scientific, objective, realistic, and honest criteria, avoiding superficialities.

They stressed the need to review marital relationships in light of mutual respect values and promote awareness programs, including educating those about to marry and newlyweds on the basics of dialogue and constructive communication within the family.

They also advised raising children with values, ethics, and adherence to principles from a young age, teaching them to treat others well.