As the Minister responsible for women’s affairs in the Country I wish to address the issue of violence against women and the recent statements made by my colleague in the House of Assembly.

Let me say at the outset on behalf of the Government and on my own behalf, violence against women is not condoned in any form and from any one.

Hundreds of women in The Bahamas face situations that cause serious distress, pain and frustrations to them and their children and households, generally. Since returning to office in May 2012, I have actively participated in many international and local meetings and conferences addressing the issue of violence against women and girls. Through the Bureau of Women’s Affairs, the Gender-Based Violence Task Force and partnerships with various governmental and non-governmental organizations, my Ministry continues to highlight this serious scourge in our communities providing public education and services. By mid-June through the work of the Gender-based Violence Task Force and the results of a study being funded by UNWomen, we hope to have a strategic plan to strengthen the coordination of the various agencies that provide services to both victims and perpetrators and eventually to eradicate this ugly menace from our shores.

We must not be distracted and we must continue to work together to make our families strong, safe and free from all forms of violence.