Tackling gender-based violence

The Ministry of Social Services, Community Development and Gender Affairs together with the Bureau of Gender Affairs have organized what has been described as ’16 days of activism’ in order to raise awareness of gender-based violence in Dominica.

The event, which runs from November 23 to December 10, is being held under the theme “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World; Let’s Challenge Discrimination and End Violence Today.”

Speaking at the launch on Friday Permanent Secretary for Social Services Community Development and Gender Affairs, Esther Thomas, said it aims to raise awareness of gender-based violence among the populace. “One of the main objectives of the campaign is to raise awareness about gender based violence as a human rights issue at the local and national level,” she said.

Various organisations such as the Dominica Association of People with Disabilities, Planned Parenthood, National H.I.V Response Unit and the Dominica National Council of Women will also participate in the campaign by hosting various activities related to gender violence.

Dominicans are being asked to wear purple ribbons to support the cause.

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26 Comments

  1. C
    November 26, 2012

    Well done- the campaign is good. In addition Ongoing support needs to be provided and readily available for victims of domestic violence. The issue is serious and awareness is important- domestic violence can take many forms including mental, physical, emotional, etc and these need to be recognised early and acted on.

  2. November 26, 2012

    hi i a jaselyn paul

  3. an observer
    November 25, 2012

    doc love which of the radio station, because i did not hear it on dbs nor kiari and if is q i dont listen except on sunday mornings. and another thing if that happen why would it be on a radio station rather than the young lady going to the police. so now every thing that go wrong with people now is on a certain radion station and not the proper authority? young lady go to the police and get a lawyer and take it further if the allegations are true.

  4. watch dog
    November 25, 2012

    again my government will see that there are laws that will be passed reguarding domestic violence, a court set aside for domestice issues to include child support, penalties for the drug pushers, reharb centers for the drug abuser, welfare for the unemployed, traffic regulations and most importantly salaries. Folks it can be done

    • frenchii
      November 26, 2012

      i like how u speak….i second this….we really need rehab centers and school psychologists should be placed at all schools, traffic regulations we got none (public transportation sux…the drive to kill passengers…no speed bumps along the long stretches of smooth highway….no rails over the high cliffs on the coast line…..no traffic signs or speed limits…speedometers should be placed along the roads to ticket persons who speed)…stiff penalties for people who rape, kill and rob…they seem to be going free fro the last five years…why do u think the tourists hardly visit or stay over much…..make examples of these guys/gals who commit these crime…cus if not there are those who i see rejoicing cus they already kno doing a crime is like saying a prayer cus they gon be out in less than a month….

  5. Seek The Truth
    November 25, 2012

    I think the 16 days of activism is too short. What can you do in 16 days. There are so many issues and groups to sensitize and investigate. The churches are covering up for some of the worst abusers. Investigate the Catholic Church in Dominica. They have their own laws and their own court. Ask the Bishop if he has gotten any reports about violence or rape of women & children by the priests. I am sure he can not tell you no. But the Catholics cover it up with their private laws and tribulnals. Wake up Dominicans, so much is going on right in front your eyes. What a shame!

    • Justice and Truth
      November 26, 2012

      What do you mean 16 days are too short. Generally, it is only one week of observance of this and other matters. How much time do people need to comprehend that they should cease abuse and violence against others? They need to be educated. If people are beaten, injured, harassed and oppressed through violence, they should not fail to report it to the police. The same should apply in the work force. Too many suffer in silence. I recognize that some of it is for fear of repercussion. They have rights and they should not hesitate to take action. If not, the violence will continue and may end in murder.

  6. T mama
    November 25, 2012

    Brickbats to parents, especially some mothers that condone their sons for beating their girlfriends or wives….amd women you can change this pattern, do not take it anymore, and listen to other persons who tell you that this man is abusive,and do not enter into the relationship…we always say it cannot happen to us….God did not create us for this…

    • Dora
      November 27, 2012

      I fully agree with you

  7. ccd
    November 24, 2012

    Power to people! it is high time that we do something about this gender violence thing! Women are sick and tired of being abused and used!

    • frenchii
      November 26, 2012

      once a man hits u once..he shouldnt be forgiven…get out of their…lookat Evelyn and her pro sports short lived marriage…one physical fight and she divorced……take shit by staying and he gon take less than a year to hit u again….cus he knows u will stay…after a while when u cant do nothing this becomes the burden of everyone else trying to protect u when u still wanna stay in that sittuation…simply leave from the first time this happens women…gosh man

    • July 23, 2015

      Why do women stay with an abusive spouse?

      (1) They don’t think they are good enough for a truly good man.

      (2) They think he will change.

      (3) They think they must depend on him for their living. They have no marketable skills and don’t know how they would survive.

      (4) They have no place to go.

      Pre-marriage counselling should be provided for couples before they marry. Many pastors now require this before they will marry a couple.

      There should be temporary shelters for abused women while they work with a qualified counselor and sort their lives out.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

  8. colorblind
    November 24, 2012

    Like many lessons, it all starts in the home. Parents must lead by example. They must also teach their children to respect themselves and others and not to resort to violence and not give in to peer pressure.

    • Distured
      November 25, 2012

      hmmm. Did it work for you? Are you the perfect being? Peer pressure never worked out for you? Did your parents teach you stealing as an example of a method of “good up-bringing”?

      In the end, it is up to the individual. Parents can only show the way and nothing more. Don’t let it be blamed by parenting only (since it cant account for all cases).

    • Justice and Truth
      November 26, 2012

      I agree with you. It is exactly that, respect for others which should commence in the home. Why is it that some can discuss and argue without being abusive and violent and others are not? The latter are in need of counseling and rehabilitation.
      There is verbal abuse. It is somewhat noticeable even on this Website. If some people disagree with the comments of others, they do abuse and insult them by stating that they are stupid, idiots, uneducated and utilizing other derogatory words. Just imagine. They are projecting what type of temperament they have. If they can state this to people whom they do not know, how much more to those whom they know? Some people cannot control their temper. They do not know that we are free to agree and disagree, amicably. This is maturity and utilizing psychology. They too are in need of counseling. It is for this reason that whenever some people disagree, they immediately pull out a weapon to injure and kill. This is one of the serious problems of today.
      Discipline commences in the home and relevant education should also be taught in the schools from elementary school to high school.

  9. bratt
    November 24, 2012

    what is gender based violence. All violence is among people all people is part of a gender. So what exactly are they tackling? dont you mean domestic abuse. all those men beating up those women and nothing happens to them . why dont they start there? such hypocrites!!

    • Justice and Truth
      November 26, 2012

      Something tells me (my instinct) that they are including homosexuals and lesbians. Read between the lines and note the word “gender”. All are inclusive.
      Gender is not generally used for domestic abuse. In most cases, domestic abuse pertains to women who are abused by men, husbands or boyfriends. This is a new word that is now coined in our era to address the overall issue. You do know that some people (men) attack homosexuals because of their lifestyle.
      I do think that they should differentiate between the two. You are correct, the manner in which it is stated, it does not appear to refer to ‘domestic abuse’ but then again, these days there is same sex relationships and they, too, have domestic fights and some very nasty ones, probably even worst than partners of the opposite sex.
      Let us call a spade a spade. They do not appear to be doing that.

    • me
      November 26, 2012

      and what about the women that beat men ?

  10. Doc.Love
    November 24, 2012

    Recently on radio,Dominicans heard of an alledged rape by an alledged Minister of Government on a young lady that approached him in his office for a job as a nurse aid. We have heard absolutely nothing from Government in terms of an investigation. Now we are told of Government’s awareness of violence on women,what hypocrisy.If Government is truly serious or the women of Dominica must take them seriously, please investigate that unfortunate incident between the young woman and the Minister. We know who the Minister is,his name was mentioned on radio,therefore,Mr.Minister, do the right thing and resign or face your accuser and dispel any notion that you are guilty.

    • watch dog
      November 25, 2012

      dont worry my friends all this will be changed i promise you. U know what is the issue, we tend to mix friendship,family and all the other F’s with business.

    • Justice and Truth
      November 26, 2012

      @ Doc.Love

      Is the woman bold enough to report it to the police and to lodge a Court case?
      In this day and age as I call it, one would think that men would control themselves and refrain from such immoral activity on women. They are aware that they could be arrested, charged and imprisoned or have to pay a fine.
      There is a Law against this in Canada; no doubt in the U.S. and in some other countries.
      Are you aware that not even a husband can touch his wife improperly and force himself on her (if you know what I mean)? The same applies for boyfriends. This includes wives and girlfriends. To a certain extent, in this case, the Law does not discriminate. Whoever is at fault will pay the price. Generally, there are women who sue men. The men may be too shy (or ashamed) to do so. :)
      This Law was necessary. Too many women were raped ‘without their consent’. If it is not consent it is rape. This has to be proven one way or the other.
      I am certain that women feel much better now knowing that there is a Law to protect them and that they do not have to be forced into anything if they do not feel like it, for any reason.

  11. Big-Bannan
    November 24, 2012

    Gender inequality still has a lengthy gap in Dominica and the beating of women is still an acceptable trait, even by law enforcement. Yet another example of a primitive third world society.

  12. To catch a predator
    November 24, 2012

    To catch predators I would suggest tht the government enforce or implement legislations however the ministers offices mut be the pantheom of gender equality and respect. The government vehicles must also not be used as the house of the rising sun for the ministers and advisors.
    To be blunt the ministers must stop impregnating young women or vulnerable women who are seeking career opportunities.
    Yes everything is politics when it matters cause if gender biasness level goes down the politicians will claim the credit one wy or another

  13. neversee
    November 24, 2012

    We going to deal with the right of passage line-ups that some young girls are being subjected to?

  14. Anonymous
    November 24, 2012

    Are we also going to deal with the ‘line-ups’ that some young girls are being subjected to seemingly as a right of passage?

  15. Anonymous
    November 24, 2012

    Very interesting. This is necessary. Violence against women come in various ways, for example in some communities it seems that ‘line-ups’ have become a right of passage for girls in puberty, and they won’t tell because they have come to accept the situation and they dont want to look sissy. Hope there will be something similar for abused children

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