Call for women’s right groups to familiarize themselves with local laws

Boyd-Knights wants informed suggestions on for gender equality
Boyd-Knights wants informed suggestions on for gender equality

Women’s advocate and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Alix Boyd-Knights, has joined the conversation on women’s rights, calling for prospective rights advocates to familiarize themselves with the laws of the country, in order to make informed suggestions for gender equality.

“Abuse of our girl children, equal pay, child maintenance, domestic violence… all of these issues require potential advocates to peruse and understand the current legislative framework and provisions so that they can make recommendations, not only for greater efficacy of these laws, but also for fairness in this gender rebalancing that we are trying to create,” she stated in an interview on state-owned DBS Radio.

Boyd-Knights referenced legislation on consent between a man and his wife. Currently, Dominican legislation does not recognize forced intercourse between married couples as rape.

“How many persons are aware that a man can perform the most brutal rape on his wife and she absolutely no recourse under the laws of Dominica?” she noted. “In other words, the current state of the law in Dominica is that a wife’s ‘no’ to her husband’s overtures has no legal value. That is where we are at right now…”

Shillingford-Ricketts is a member of a newly formed women's right group
Shillingford-Ricketts is a member of a newly formed women’s right group

Meantime, a member of the newly formed women’s advocacy group, Women Helping Other Women (WHOW), Dr. Hazel Shillingford-Rickets, has revealed the group’s goal is to spark the re-evaluation of laws pertaining to women in Dominica.

She lamented the fact that the legal age of consent on-island is 16, although one must be 18 to legally participate in other vital activities.

“Wealso want to lend our weight behind the legal system, lobbying to get laws passed, to get regulations… We have outstanding to determine the age of children here which there is some sort of disagreement. To vote, you have to be eighteen,” she said, on DBS’s ‘Talking Point’ program. “As a medical practitioner, I cannot treat a child under the age of 18 without the presence of an adult… unless it’s a life or death emergency… Yet still, we are saying that these children can make a decision to have sex at 16.”

She asked that Dominican women unite against such faults, in order to bring about change.

“Let us put every woman together there, shoulder to shoulder, and heave against the system for it to yield. It has to yield. We have got to get something done. We tired talk about it…” she stated.

Shillingford- Rickets called on women in government to make a priority of balancing the societal order.

“We have almost, what, five women in parliament? We are telling them ‘look, you were a woman before you became a politician, and when you finish with politics, you are still going to be genetically a woman… so this is your first priority,'” she remarked.

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26 Comments

  1. Yinka
    March 11, 2016

    Alas Dominicans. Stick to the topic. ..give politics a break for one day!

  2. Just saying
    March 10, 2016

    Thanks DNO Admin. I pray that God continue to bless you. I also pray that he grant you wisdom and guidance.

  3. Tjebe Fort
    March 10, 2016

    Ms. Boyd Knights, make sure people have freedom of speech and expression in the House of Parliament as per the Constitution before you want to put in your 5 cents of wisdom on the laws of Dominica.

  4. Anonymous
    March 10, 2016

    Why is Alix Boyd Knights being called a “women’s advocate” is beyond me and the media, especially DBS Radio, needs to stop this.

    When last has Boyd-Knights appear in a public forum on matters of women rights? She only speaks when DBS calls her.

    Is she part of any group advocating for women rights in Dominica? Is she part of the NGO coalition? I don’t think so.

    Now a woman like Tina Alexander, who is beating the pavement everyday, on rights of women and children, now that is a woman I respect.

    But Boyd Knights? Give me a break man.

    • Viewsexpressed
      March 10, 2016

      Alix Boyd Knight is not an “Woman’s Advocate”., If she was tit and his DLP cabal. She lost it when her loyalty to protect and promote rights of women got tangled up when she got mixed up her blind loyalty with Skerrit. I think you need to consult Skerrit first who is possible best to advice you on cases of abuse of women.

  5. eat em
    March 9, 2016

    Suck the salt and rub some pepper on it. What all you sow all you must reap.

  6. Doc. Love
    March 9, 2016

    Why doesn’t Alix Boyd Knight put the politics aside and join Mr. Linton in publicly condemning sexual abuse against our children. Maybe, it is because the person who is behind the letter of public condemnation is not a favorite of hers,

  7. truthhurts
    March 9, 2016

    Parents talk to your children,warn them,counsel them because all you know better. Its a cold world out there pray for them and pray with them. They should be your sole responsibility. Dont let technology and the internet raise them for you. When they do good praise them and when they do bad punish them so that they can learn from it. Know who their friends are. Visit their school often and pay attention to the changes in their life. Too often you all let things slip and slide. Parents do your jobs and set an example for your children.

  8. COAST GUARD BASE
    March 9, 2016

    Alix, can you make a statement on the abuse of children by grown prominent men… remember a young girl will one day be a woman so its WOMAN TIME, your favourite phrase

  9. JBaptiste
    March 9, 2016

    So sad! The speaker of the house got an opportunity to speak out on a very serious issue, but she is bent on pushing her own agenda. Lady you have all year long to speak about wife and husband. What we want to hear is your position on the actions of the parliamentarians and the business man. You are no advocate for women . Rickets is the real advocate.

  10. Shameless
    March 9, 2016

    Weeeee-papa-bondieu me Alix weevay! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

    All I will say now is that I am waiting to see if she will allow both accused individuals to sit in her “house of parliament” while they are on bail for inappropriate behavior with a minor. :twisted: :twisted:

    Always Assertive! :twisted:

  11. Ma Moses
    March 9, 2016

    I am all for total equality between the sexes, without any reservation but we do not need an advocate like her to lecture us, who suppresses in the House what can be freely discussed and debated in the press, on radio, the social media and in the street. I am sorry but in my opinion she is not fit to bring this message. It is hypocritical coming from her.

  12. how i see it
    March 9, 2016

    people of Dominica what that place NEED is to have work more jobs that way mothers and dads can help take care of there children and not leave it up to these guys that out there with the money to do some kids schools a being paid for mum and dad cant say anything. our big problem is this gov move the people from INDEPENDENT TO DEPENDET so look out my people if the right thinking people don’t do something about that. Problem just start in that place call dominica

  13. My Opinion
    March 9, 2016

    The feminist filth continues to permeates our land which has caused nothing but destruction in our homes.

    Already the family trend is so fragile, high divorce rates, when you enact these foolish laws that a woman can say no to her husband, this opens the doors to adultery. Instead of talking about being sexually available for her husband she is telling them to say no! Rubbish.

    This age of consent thing is nonsense. What is this going to solve? You think sex easy? So today you can consent and tomorrow at the same 16 you cannot consent? Boss look rubbish!

    • Viewsexpressed
      March 9, 2016

      This is Alex Boyd Knight for you. The abuse that goes on by this government to our poor government you should address and hassling the Opposition.
      YO had a loud voice on child abuse long ago, now you are part of this corrupt gang that advocate yo sued t be ran away with your association with the inept DLP government. That is where you have a voice now.
      YOu have failed women and Dominicans with you association with the this corrupt DLP lead government.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      March 9, 2016

      “The feminist filth continues to permeates our land which has caused nothing but destruction in our homes.”

      I do not know what stimulated your rage and anger, I doubt it has anything to do with what the lady said.

      I might be wrong; but from a psychological observation I can tell you are anti-woman, you hate women, and you have to be very careful your anger and does not cause you to kill some woman.

      I was raised by a grandmother, who raised me well, I was mold by here; everything I accomplished in life I credit to her for everything good in my life.

      So, indeed feminism can be a good thing. When people talk about feminism they are simply implying theory of the political, economic, and social equality, of the sexes, they are taking about an organized activity on behalf of women’s right, and interests.

      Do you have a mother, and sisters, how were you brought into this world? You are dangerous!

      • Chief Jacco
        March 10, 2016

        Bondieu! Pot calling kettle black. Francisco has been spewing filth, hatred and lies since DNO empowered him to comment. Just de other day he was telling Byrne how much he hate him, he told Skerrit how much he hate him and so many others on DNO. Boss doh fight with de lady for power struggle on who can hate the most. We love our speaker and even you too.

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        March 10, 2016

        Jacco, you think I am an idiot?

        I may spew venom however I am not psychotic; I am not mentality ill, and surely I do not hate woman, as a matter of fact I love the lady Speaker of house!

    • Face the Facts
      March 10, 2016

      Men will obviously not like these Law,s if enacted for it does not suit them.
      Some women are used as doormats/rags. It is time for a change. I expect, eventually it will occur. Brace yourself for it in time. :lol: :lol: :lol:

  14. Peter Potter
    March 9, 2016

    Look it, one after the other they are crawling out of their hole now to pay lip service.

    • Viewsexpressed
      March 9, 2016

      True, so true….

      • Hades No!
        March 10, 2016

        Very very true indeed.

    • Face the Facts
      March 10, 2016

      It is not lip service. This is a serious matter to be taken into consideration and implemented for the sake of the women, their happiness and peace. It will be a great relief for them. Not tonight darling! O Happy Day! :lol: :lol: :lol:

  15. Kenya
    March 9, 2016

    Ms. Knight I am not sure I am convinced of your words-right message – wrong messenger in Alix Boyd Knight.

    • Face the Facts
      March 10, 2016

      The men will grind, rant and rave and eat their heart out. :lol: :lol: :lol:
      They need to be disciplined and act in a disciplined manner in sexual matters. You should know what I mean. Taking a relevant course should help them.

  16. Blogg
    March 9, 2016

    She is a top lawyer what is she doing to protect the right of women and children other than to formulate plans to derail the justice system with their judicial reviews. She is a protector of the big guns who are inflicting pain and disgrace on the vulnerable in the society. lip service is not enough. hiding behind the speakers seat will not do. come out and condemn them and resign if any of those perpetrators enter the parliament after being charged of these attrocious allegations. Help the victim to secure counselling, help their parents to reject hush money and secure convictions Instead. Speak up loudly as you surely can against these evil men

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