Become Part of the Solution

Recognizing the proliferation of gruesome acts of violence against women and understanding that without the participation of women at all levels in society there would be no peace, The United Nations most powerful body, The Security Council, on the 13th October, 2015 sent a strong message to the world. They unanimously passed resolution 2242 (2015) (The Women, Peace, Security Agenda), which condemns ‘ALL’ forms of violence against women and urged all Members States to implement fully the relevant provisions of the Security Council resolution the full text contains 18 provisions.

The Security Council urges Member States to create and implement policies which promote gender equality, protect women and girls from all forms of violence, improve legal procedures for women seeking justice from their abusers, develop and implement national action plans, increase the representation of women at all decision-making levels in national, regional, and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention of violence against women and the resolution of conflicts, and increase funding to civil society organizations which deals with the prevention of violence against women and girls and women’s empowerment. These just names a few of the provisions contained in the resolution.

It is imperative, rather crucial, that all societal institutions, government, academia, religion, media, family, community, and corporate and private businesses give full priority to the prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls by supporting the implementation of strategies to combat and prevent the perpetration of violence against women and girls. Gender-based violence has a variety of causes from social and cultural norms; some examples are the imbalance of the patriarchal system in society, the generational cycle of abuse, gender oppression, gender inequality, and the structural oppression of women and girls.

The term gender-based violence may also be confusing to some as to various persons it may mean different things based on culture. Gender-based violence also encompasses many different forms of violence; therefore, various cultures, individuals, societies or groups may understand it differently when partners have a different understanding of gender-based violence. This causes a problem in reporting, data collection, asking for help and seeking support.

Too often, members of society see this issue as a ‘them issue’ rather than ‘our issue’. If a person has not personally been involved in abuse or violence, they do not understand how important they can be to the solution to see it eradicated from society. There must be a collective coming together to combat and prevent all forms of violence committed against women and girls rather than using this issue to cast blame or shift responsibilities. While Trinidad and Tobago has come a long way, there remain some serious gaps and the country still has a long way to go in supporting grassroots organizations that are the foot soldiers and hold high levels of social power.

While societal change will not be realized overnight, we must begin and continue the conversation which will lead to consistent action and participation by establishing or re-establishing a dedicated government unit. This unit should solely be responsible for gender affairs, women’s development and human rights and have a minister responsible for this progress, the recent government changes sent an unspoken message to society, victims, survivors, advocates and the international community. Our present government does not see violence against women and girls, women development, human rights and gender affairs as a priority. Therefore, this move needs to be reconsidered since we cannot move forward if we fail to address these pressing issues, which undermines the fabric of society and freedom.

There needs to be speed of access and ease of access to services which are client-oriented, encourages victims to have faith in the systems, and is guided by the international best practices, with strict confidentiality. Policies must be trained to fully protect women and hold perpetrators not only accountable but to ensure appropriate justice is meted out. The country must have functioning systems for the protection of women and girls, prevention and intervention strategies must be implemented, transitional housing communities established, financial and academic support put in place, job security and innovative job creation realized by exploring sustainable development, green growth and the green economy.

Members of society often wonder why most women and girls stay in an environment where violence is perpetrated? No one knows what goes on in the mind of a victim, much less how they would save fellow victims; there are various factors as to why women stay. If leaving was simple, victims would do so in droves; we also have a society which blames women for leaving and not leaving; we have a society which does not manifest empathy; and we do not have systems and institutions effectively in place to support, sustain, or protect women and girls who endure all forms of violence to enable them to more easily leave.

So next time, before you blame a woman or girl for staying bear in mind it is never easy to leave; it is always a life or death decision; it means economic sustainability or poverty, transitional housing, and protection or homelessness and fear; it means empowerment and facilities which discourage similar or another abusive dependence relationship; it is either speedy judicial justice or years of torture; and it is either efficient, effective and workable systems being established by the institutions in society or defective systems which dehumanize, blame, frustrate and embarrass women and girls who are victims of violence.

My hope is that the conversation will begin, continue and lead to consistent action which will bring about societal change and full protection for women and girls, support of grassroots NGO’s and the representation of more women at all decision-making levels of society. Become part of the solution; do not perpetuate the problem.