Elimination of violence against women

by Shannon Durrant-SamueL

President of Soroptimist St Vincent and the Grenadines

Soroptimists support the Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women (25th November) and the 16 Days of Activism. Soroptimists are committed to support all actions to end all forms of violence against women.

Prevalent within our tiny villages, within our constituents, within our parishes, here on our beautiful island paradise of St Vincent and the Grenadines is the increase of violence and particularly so against women.{{more}} Whether at home, next door at our neighbours, on the job, on the streets or in our social circles, in private or public, violence against women is WRONG!

Is it that our population is unaware of what constitutes forms of violence against women? Let us have a look at the more common forms of violence, which includes physical violence, where women are beaten and mutilated. Sexual violence points toward women who are sexually harassed, raped within a marriage or relationship and referred to as domestic violence, as the aggresion occurs in the safety of your own homes. Psychological violence refers to the women who is belittled and made to feel less than she is, laughed at, harassed on social media, brainwashed and consistently dehumanized. Another important variant that must be considered is human trafficking, which may seem far-fetched for our tiny island and may be thought of as travelling with persons against their will off the island; however, human trafficking refers to the acquisition and exploitation of persons through force, fraud or deception and being kept against their will. This can happen right next door! It is considered a form of modern day slavery and must be stopped. Violence endangers women and girls physically, mentally, emotionally and economically, perpetuating and reinforcing unjustifiable inequalities in all aspects of women’s lives. In addition to the damage to women and girls, violence against women negatively affects families, communities and countries.

We must act together to stop violence against women. Speak up and speak out when you have suspicions. Let’s start at home; look at our own behaviours, our language and our gestures. Children, teens and young adults who witness violence are more likely to display emotional and behavioural disturbances. They do as we do! As older folks often say, “example is powerful”. We all have a part to play in our tomorrow. Let us do what we can to give rise to change, a change that will bring about a safer future for Vincentians here on our island paradise. Visit the work we do www.sisvg.org.