Rural women now being armed with tools to fight domestic abuse

While the issue of domestic violence is of much concern in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), women in rural areas are now being empowered with the tools to fight this scourge.

President of Women in Agriculture for Rural Development (WARD), Audrey Walters-Butler said the problem also affects women in rural communities.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT on Saturday, May 28 Walters-Butler stressed that in most rural areas, the problem is more one of domestic abuse, rather than domestic violence.

“In these areas, women tend to be victims of verbal and economic abuse from their spouses,” Walters-Butler related.

With regard to the general issue of domestic violence, the female farmer said the situation in SVG, “is now becoming alarming.”

“I think it is now very frightening, the way women are being abused.

“Too many things are under the cover and now is the time for them to be opened up.”

Given this state of affairs her group will be hosting two workshops on June 9-10 aimed at empowering rural women with the necessary skills to fight domestic violence.

On June 9, psychologist, Dr Jozelle Miller is expected to speak on recovery, growth and empowering women to grow after their pain.

At the second workshop on June 10, the female rural participants will look at using agriculture as a form of therapy for abused individuals.

Walters-Butler said the workshop, which will be held at the Sans Souci Learning Resource Centre is being funded through a grant from the Embassy of the Netherlands Antilles.

About 40 participants from such rural areas as North Union, San Souci and Diamonds are expected to participate in the workshop.