More Vincentian women carrying licensed firearms

Many women in St Vincent and the Grenadines are now the holders of licensed firearms.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, said as part of efforts by the Government to address violence against women, specific legislation has been passed to ensure women can protect themselves.{{more}}

“We have strengthened the firearms legislative framework. Something which we have done and which we encourage – there are many, many women now who are holders of firearms licences. We have set up a firing range and a lot of women go there to be trained before they get their firearm licenses,” he said.

Gonsalves, who is also Minister of National Security, made the disclosure while responding to a question asked by SEARCHLIGHT on the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25. The Prime Minister was asked, in light of recent incidences of rape, incest, statutory rape, assault and murder, where women are the victims, what, as Minister of National Security is his plan to address the ongoing violation of women.

Responding, the Prime Minister also mentioned the establishment of the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) in the police force.

“Since we took office, we have strengthened the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and we had established a Major Crimes Unit. In that Major Crimes Unit, there is a subunit which deals with offences against women: sexual offences, indecent assault, statutory rape and the like,” Gonsalves said, with regard to the policing measures in place.

“We have made sure that the training of the members of the staff in the Major Crimes Unit, that it is training appropriate to offences of this kind. Not only in relation to male investigators, but also to female investigators and we have ensured the promotion of women into senior positions to help to drive this.”

With regard to support services, Gonsalves stated that a home for battered women and girls was established. Furthermore, the Family Court and Social Welfare Department has been strengthened significantly over the years.

“So, we do the policing work, the legislative work, the judicial work, support services… it’s a wide range of matters. I think, though, that this is a subject, not just about violence, but violence in relation to women. I think it’s a matter which all of us have to address in the society, in the homes, in the schools, in the media.

“More and more we are finding men and boys having a greater respect for women. Not just having it for their mom, but having it for their women. We need to see that it becomes generalized and that it must be constantly on the agenda for us in that regard,” the Minister of National Security said. (BK)