AFETT: Address gender-based violence year-round

The Association of Female Executives of TT is calling for gender-based violence (GBV) to be made a priority year-round.

It said this follows statements by police commissioner Gary Griffith on December 8 that GBV has recently been announced as a leading cause of death of women in TT.

In a release, the association said TT is not immune from the apparent "shadow epidemic" of GBV which arose when countries implemented lockdown measures to stop the spread of covid19. It said violence against women, especially domestic violence, increased, and women have been made more vulnerable to exploitation, harassment and abuse because of the pandemic.

Its executive and members joined the international community in condemning any act of violence targeting vulnerable girls and women in TT.

“Governments and societies at large have the responsibility of protecting the most vulnerable in their midst. We also have a collective responsibility for our failure to protect the women who have been affected and afflicted by GBV.”

The association is challenging everyone to continue the awareness around GBV marked by the celebration of 16 days of activism against GBV by the UN secretary-general’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign, held from November 25-December 10 under the theme Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!

AFETT president Dixie-Ann Dickson said, “While December 10 marked the end of this campaign, it has initiated the start of our collective activism against GBV which has to be consistently reviewed, reoriented and ramped up as we move forward. What we do, how we do it, and whom we serve after December 10 is what matters. Don’t let GBV end on December 10.”

Dickson said men should be addressed in the fight against GBV.

“While we need to look out for our women, we also need to pay closer attention to our young men, particularly at an early age, ensuring that they have respect for women and providing safe outlets for expressing themselves and their emotions. Arming our women with pepper spray and firearms is only one short-term measure that should be put in place. We must do more for our men in society, working with guidance counsellors, communities, our education system and family networks.”

She said there must be a collaborative approach among civil society, faith-based organisations and the state in fighting the scourge of GBV.

“We have partnered with civil society organisations in their fight against GBV and look forward to working with other agencies and engaging with the Government on this and other related issues. AFETT also acknowledges the White Paper on the National Child Policy and will support its implementation plan and communication strategies and initiatives, emerging from the Gender and Child Affairs Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister.”