From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Bahamas Information Services Updates
Groups encouraged to continue ‘Push’ towards Gender-Based Violence-Free Bahamas
By Matt Maura
Dec 6, 2019 - 3:18:32 PM



IMG_6693_1_.jpg

Nassau, The Bahamas – The response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has to be a multi-sectoral one, the end result of which should be a movement towards a Bahamas that is free from such violence, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell said.

“When you consider the rippling effects of Gender-Based Violence -- the productive days lost from work, the hardships and the debilitating effects caused on children who have to witness these situations or are victims of these situations, the impacts gender-based violence can have on the physical and mental health of its victims, you have to appreciate that unless everyone comes together to do their part, everyone in every sector will be negatively and adversely affected,” Minister Campbell said.

Gender-Based Violence is violence that is directed against a person because of their gender. Women and men and boys and girls can experience gender-based violence, but the majority of victims are women and girls. GBV can occur in the form of rape, domestic violence, verbal, emotional and psychological abuse and economic and educational deprivation.

“Gender-Based Violence and violence is not of concern for the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development alone, it is not just a concern for The Bahamas Crisis Centre alone, or the Royal Bahamas Police Force, nor The Bahamas’ Department of Corrections which has to house the perpetrators, neither is it just a matter of concern for the persons who have to provide psychological services and care -- everyone of us has to become involved.”

IMG_6670_2_.jpg

Minister Campbell said Gender-Based Violence was a “public health issue” in addition to a human rights violation, and urged members of the various non-governmental organizations, stakeholders and partners that are collaborating in the fight against GBV in The Bahamas, to continue to partner with the various government ministries and departments.

Addressing a Round Table Discussion on gender-based violence that was hosted by The Bahamas Crisis Centre in partnership with the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development and its Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Thursday (December 5), Minister Campbell told more than 40 representatives from 15 organizations across the government and non-governmental sectors participating the discussion that it was his expectation that strategies would be devised for better networking between ministries and departments of government, the non-governmental organizations, civil society, stakeholders and partners and Faith-Based Organizations towards the vision of a Bahamas free from gender-based violence.

“This work is not exclusive to the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development and its Departments and Divisions, but there is a role for every government agency to play, every non-governmental organization, partner, stakeholder and citizen to play. I am satisfied that if we can get all of the other ministries to play an active role, to become sensitized, to become aware, to be a part of the discussion – which is what we are in the process of doing – then truly, we will be able to say that the government as an entity is involved and leading the fight against Gender-Based Violence,” Minister Campbell added.



© Copyright 2019 by thebahamasweekly.com -