A total of 3,746 cases of women beaten have been recorded by the Algerian health authorities in 2003, according to the Algerian National Institute of Public Health in the World Journal of the Struggle against Violence against Women.
The official statistics, however, only reflect the cases that actually have been reported. In reality, they are inevitably much higher especially in the large rural areas of Algeria which traditionally accord low social status to women.
According to the official statistics, the average age of victims is 32; of those abused, almost 30% are illiterate, and just over a quarter have average education, over 5% have university education.
Furthermore, 50% of women beaten are married over two thirds are unemployed. Three quarters of the abuse took place in the family home.
