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MINISTER of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster, has said that violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread human rights violations, and which is prevalent on every continent and in every culture. She was at the time addressing the Commission on the Status of Women at its 57th session on behalf of CARICOM, at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, New York.
The minister said that violence manifests itself in many forms, transcends race and class, and occurs in diverse settings. As such, it presents a challenge which causes significant harm to individuals and degrades the fundamental moral and social fabric of the society. It impedes social progress and development for advancing women’s rights.
She noted that women play a critical role in the socio-economic and political development of the Caribbean, and member states of the Region take pride in the achievements made in the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.
CARICOM member states recognise that considerable progress needs to be made; however, among the obstacles that stand in the way of realising this shared objective, is the continuous violence that is being meted out to women and girls.
The UN Secretary General’s report that was before the Commission estimates that as many as seven to 10 women experience some level of physical and/or sexual violence at some point in their lives.
Minister Webster said that CARICOM concurs with the Secretary-General’s recommendation that the implementation of comprehensive legal frameworks that criminalise violence against women and girls must be accelerated, and that all spheres of society should play an active part to eradicate this terrible scourge.
She said that CARICOM countries are not unique in the problems they face to attain the goals and objectives set out in the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action and other international instruments established to protect the rights of women and girls.
“One problem which is of great concern to our governments is that of domestic violence. We have recognised that the endemic culture of violence and widespread gender-based violence in particular, demands intensive and extensive strategic action and multi-layered interventions by all of us,” she said.
Human Trafficking
Minister Webster said that the trafficking of humans for sexual or labour exploitation is also a growing concern for CARICOM member states, as the victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking are predominantly young women and girls.
Traffickers now routinely use the lure of lucrative job opportunities to target women and girls across the Region through websites. It is anticipated that as the Region becomes a more networked society, the internet will increasingly facilitate the transnational marketing of sex workers.
Gender Inequality
In terms of gender inequality, social exclusion, youth unemployment and violence in schools, the Region continues to battle challenges. The lack of resources for proper data collection and research within the Region is a fundamental issue which impedes timely and accurate updates on the implementation of national policies aimed at addressing these concerns.
In this regard, Guyana and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recently signed a new work plan which outlines priority areas under which work will be undertaken, including specific interventions in the areas of survival, development, protection and participation for the benefit of Guyanese children.
Under this initiative, Guyana is also set to receive technical assistance with respect to its reporting responsibilities on the protocol to the convention of the rights of the child.
The Secretary General’s report stated that the engagement of communities, civil society, men and boys, and young people is necessary to challenge gender stereotypes and social norms that perpetuate violence against women.
The minister said that several preventive initiatives and measures have been undertaken at the Regional level. Moreover, at the national level in CARICOM member states, various legislative measures are being enhanced, and monitoring frameworks are being developed, to address gender-based violence.
Going Forward
The minister said that all efforts at addressing violence against women and girls must adopt a multi-sectoral, ‘whole of society’ approach, engaging both government and civil society players. She also highlighted the role of the media in bringing much needed sensitisation to the public.
“The family is the nucleus of every society. It is therefore of utmost importance that we recognise the need to reinforce in our homes the teaching of respect for women, pay critical attention to socio-cultural expressions and stereotypes that degrade women and perpetuate the myth that women are an inferior class to be abused and exploited,” Minister Webster said.
She concluded that deeper awareness need to be inculcated in young women of their own values, and recognition of their own self-respect and the need to demand that respect from others.
She also emphasised the urgent need for stronger legislative measures, coupled with a greater civic responsibility, to address the challenge of prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls and other obstacles to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The session was held under the theme, “Elimination and Prevention of all Forms of Violence against Women and Girls”.
The minister said that violence manifests itself in many forms, transcends race and class, and occurs in diverse settings. As such, it presents a challenge which causes significant harm to individuals and degrades the fundamental moral and social fabric of the society. It impedes social progress and development for advancing women’s rights.
She noted that women play a critical role in the socio-economic and political development of the Caribbean, and member states of the Region take pride in the achievements made in the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.
CARICOM member states recognise that considerable progress needs to be made; however, among the obstacles that stand in the way of realising this shared objective, is the continuous violence that is being meted out to women and girls.
The UN Secretary General’s report that was before the Commission estimates that as many as seven to 10 women experience some level of physical and/or sexual violence at some point in their lives.
Minister Webster said that CARICOM concurs with the Secretary-General’s recommendation that the implementation of comprehensive legal frameworks that criminalise violence against women and girls must be accelerated, and that all spheres of society should play an active part to eradicate this terrible scourge.
She said that CARICOM countries are not unique in the problems they face to attain the goals and objectives set out in the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action and other international instruments established to protect the rights of women and girls.
“One problem which is of great concern to our governments is that of domestic violence. We have recognised that the endemic culture of violence and widespread gender-based violence in particular, demands intensive and extensive strategic action and multi-layered interventions by all of us,” she said.
Human Trafficking
Minister Webster said that the trafficking of humans for sexual or labour exploitation is also a growing concern for CARICOM member states, as the victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking are predominantly young women and girls.
Traffickers now routinely use the lure of lucrative job opportunities to target women and girls across the Region through websites. It is anticipated that as the Region becomes a more networked society, the internet will increasingly facilitate the transnational marketing of sex workers.
Gender Inequality
In terms of gender inequality, social exclusion, youth unemployment and violence in schools, the Region continues to battle challenges. The lack of resources for proper data collection and research within the Region is a fundamental issue which impedes timely and accurate updates on the implementation of national policies aimed at addressing these concerns.
In this regard, Guyana and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recently signed a new work plan which outlines priority areas under which work will be undertaken, including specific interventions in the areas of survival, development, protection and participation for the benefit of Guyanese children.
Under this initiative, Guyana is also set to receive technical assistance with respect to its reporting responsibilities on the protocol to the convention of the rights of the child.
The Secretary General’s report stated that the engagement of communities, civil society, men and boys, and young people is necessary to challenge gender stereotypes and social norms that perpetuate violence against women.
The minister said that several preventive initiatives and measures have been undertaken at the Regional level. Moreover, at the national level in CARICOM member states, various legislative measures are being enhanced, and monitoring frameworks are being developed, to address gender-based violence.
Going Forward
The minister said that all efforts at addressing violence against women and girls must adopt a multi-sectoral, ‘whole of society’ approach, engaging both government and civil society players. She also highlighted the role of the media in bringing much needed sensitisation to the public.
“The family is the nucleus of every society. It is therefore of utmost importance that we recognise the need to reinforce in our homes the teaching of respect for women, pay critical attention to socio-cultural expressions and stereotypes that degrade women and perpetuate the myth that women are an inferior class to be abused and exploited,” Minister Webster said.
She concluded that deeper awareness need to be inculcated in young women of their own values, and recognition of their own self-respect and the need to demand that respect from others.
She also emphasised the urgent need for stronger legislative measures, coupled with a greater civic responsibility, to address the challenge of prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls and other obstacles to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The session was held under the theme, “Elimination and Prevention of all Forms of Violence against Women and Girls”.
