THE Ministry of Social Protection joined with the global community in observance of the international campaign to end violence against women and girls under the local theme “HearMeToo: Collective Voices Against Gender-Based Violence”. The campaign, was known as “16 Days of Activism”, which had commenced on November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and concludes on December 10, 2018 (International Human Rights Day).

This year, the ministry will be hosting several initiatives calling for action towards ending gender-based violence.
One of the activities which is an ‘Against Violent Forum’, was hosted on Thursday evening at the GT Motorsports Inc. Club (Thomas Lands and Albert Street).
The objective of the event was to encourage national commitment towards ending gender-based violence in anticipation of forming purposeful and strategic alliances with the male community.

The “#HearMeToo: Men against Violence Forum” will challenge stakeholders to examine intervention strategies for men and boys at various levels, thereby contributing to the prevention and elimination of all forms of gender-based violence. Additionally, the forum created an opportunity for discussion about challenges and solutions for reducing gender-based violence.

Mr. Dennis Glasgow, who spoke about sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence, highlighted the challenges that gender-based violence poses to the public health division and other sectors crucial to the national development of the country.
He added that while gender roles are changing, women need to appreciate the sensitivity of men and men must not use provocation as an excuse for violence. He also pointed out that while women and children are the primary victims of gender-based violence, men are also affected.

According to Social Services Director Whentworth Tanner, activities will be conducted in all 10 Administrative Regions. Tanner noted that, “We are working closely with the Regional Democratic Councils, but where we don’t have those collaborations; we are working through the Regional Women’s Affairs Committee.”

Tanner noted that the through the programme, men complained about not being heard in society as it relates to violence. This, he noted, caused the ministry to set up a forum where men can freely discuss their social issues.

“Most men don’t see themselves as perpetrators but because a few men that participate in activities that are condemned by society, all men are painted with the same brush. We don’t want that so the goal of this activism programme is to be able to help the targeted audiences, which are men, to change their mindsets as it relates to violence against women.”

Tanner also related that the Ministry is also working to introduce more male-related programmes where they can be trained in particular divisions which will, in return, be beneficial “not only to women but society also”.

Some of the topics discussed during the 16-day programme were sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence, poor health choices, male perpetrators of violence, masculinity and manhood and consequences and corrections.