Editorial

Statement by the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport

Kingston, December 16, 2016 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has issued the following statement:

OG_20161216_GenderViolenceThe Minister’s Statement

Today, the Senate approved its members to the Joint-Select Committee to review laws relating to violence against women, children, the elderly, and persons living with disabilities. This means that we now have a full committee from both Houses of Parliament to continue this important work which was stalled in 2014.

I had given a commitment to the nation that the committee, which has been dormant since 2014, would be reconvened as my government believes the work that has been stalled for so long is vital in helping to address gender violence, among other critical public safety concerns.

Ending gender violence is urgent and the committee, to be Chaired by the Justice Minister, will begin its work early in January.

Also in January, the Cabinet is set to review the National Strategic Action Plan on Gender-based Violence and we plan to begin implementation immediately after Cabinet gives its assent. The Plan will require action from across the whole of government to ensure that we deal effectively with gender violence. It includes proposals to improve the implementation of laws and support services for victims of gender violence — male and female. And, importantly as well, the plan will have provisions for the re-socialisation and rehabilitation of men who perpetrate gender violence.

As government, we note the recent spate of horrific violence against several women across the country, resulting in brutal killings.

I not only condemn, in the strongest sense of the word, the atrocities, but I’m moving, as a member of this government, to prevent acts of gender violence, provide greater protection for victims, and to deal effectively with perpetrators.

Governmental action is vital to prevent and end gender violence, but success is also dependent on our people taking a stand and using the mechanisms in place and those to be implemented to deal with the problem.

It is one thing for us to have harsh penalties for gender violence, but to punish the perpetrators we need convictions — and that requires people speaking up.

The violence usually starts with hitting. And someone — a member of the family, a neighbour, a friend, a co-worker — usually knows about it. Therefore, I continue to urge everyone to stop turning a blind eye to the gender violence that they know is happening. Each of us has a part to play in ending gender violence. We cannot remain silent. We cannot afford to look the other way. We have a duty as family, neighbour, friend and co-worker to intervene before domestic disputes escalate.

Finally, let us all spare a thought for the families affected by the latest incidents who must be going through a very difficult time and will need all the support that is available to them.

Commentary

Gender based violence is fast becoming a cancer in our society. Couples must learn to settle their conflicts in a non violent way.

We support the work of this joint -select committee of parliament and must commend Minister Grange, who has responsibility for gender matters for doing what she committed to do.

We are appalled at the reported deaths at the hands of spouses in relationships in recent times. This madness must stop.

Commentary by Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie who is Senior International Correspondent & photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.

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