70% of women suffer gender-based violence
Tuesday, November 27 2012
Over
70 percent of women worldwide experience gender-based violence. This
statistic was given yesterday by Dr Deborah Thomas-Austin, president of
the World Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA).
The
YWCA of Trinidad and Tobago, in conjunction with the United Nations,
launched its “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” at Capital
Plaza, Port-of-Spain.
Through its “In Her Shoes” exhibition, the YWCA shows the lives of women who experience domestic violence.
The association intends to take its display to locations around the country to facilitate a forum of discussion about gender-based violence. As well they will have a Solidarity Walk against gender-based violence around the Savannah on December 1, World Aids Day.
In attendance yesterday was Zalayhar Hassanali, wife of late President Noor Hassanali, who stated that she has been supporting this cause for over 60 years. Hassanali was proud to see the YWCA take the “16 Days of Activism” to the public. She stated that gender-based violence is a “real scourge on society” and the cause must not cease.
Marcus Kissoon, a representative from the Rape Crisis Centre, recalled the earthquake that decimated Haiti in 2010. He stated that if TT were to face a natural disaster which would force people into camps, he fears that our women would be abused as women were in Haiti.
“We would have a crisis within a crisis with regards to gender-based violence.
This is why we need a national gender policy. That way people affected by crime, from the home to the workplace, would have a sense of justice.
From a psychological point of view, an NGP would give a sense of therapy having this legal net,” Kissoon said. He added that the main way to ensure the rights of women would be to have a comprehensive national gender policy which is sensitive to the rights of all citizens based on gender.
Also in attendance were students of Bishop’s Centenary High School who viewed the exhibition “In Her Shoes.”
Theanna Alleyne, a 15-year-old Form 5 student, told Newsday, “Personally it is a very uplifting and educational programme. The day in their shoes is very uplifting and touching. It made me realise that education is the most important thing right now.”
The 16 Days of Activism began on Sunday, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day.
Through its “In Her Shoes” exhibition, the YWCA shows the lives of women who experience domestic violence.
The association intends to take its display to locations around the country to facilitate a forum of discussion about gender-based violence. As well they will have a Solidarity Walk against gender-based violence around the Savannah on December 1, World Aids Day.
In attendance yesterday was Zalayhar Hassanali, wife of late President Noor Hassanali, who stated that she has been supporting this cause for over 60 years. Hassanali was proud to see the YWCA take the “16 Days of Activism” to the public. She stated that gender-based violence is a “real scourge on society” and the cause must not cease.
Marcus Kissoon, a representative from the Rape Crisis Centre, recalled the earthquake that decimated Haiti in 2010. He stated that if TT were to face a natural disaster which would force people into camps, he fears that our women would be abused as women were in Haiti.
“We would have a crisis within a crisis with regards to gender-based violence.
This is why we need a national gender policy. That way people affected by crime, from the home to the workplace, would have a sense of justice.
From a psychological point of view, an NGP would give a sense of therapy having this legal net,” Kissoon said. He added that the main way to ensure the rights of women would be to have a comprehensive national gender policy which is sensitive to the rights of all citizens based on gender.
Also in attendance were students of Bishop’s Centenary High School who viewed the exhibition “In Her Shoes.”
Theanna Alleyne, a 15-year-old Form 5 student, told Newsday, “Personally it is a very uplifting and educational programme. The day in their shoes is very uplifting and touching. It made me realise that education is the most important thing right now.”
The 16 Days of Activism began on Sunday, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day.
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