BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ACTING Director of Gender Affairs Celia Christopher told attendees of a press conference yesterday (May 25) that violence against men and women has a high economic cost.
The press conference, which was held at the St. Kitts Marriott Hotel and organised by the Ministry of Community Development, was aimed at informing the public about a one-day workshop geared to address the rising incidents of domestic violence and sexual offences.
Christopher said that violence against women and men could take many forms, including domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, discrimination, psychological and emotional abuse, financial abuse and physical violence.
“Violence against men and women in our country and around the world has a high economic cost to it. The cost of health care, lost work time, law enforcement intervention and investigation, legal counsel, clinical care for survivors and children place a heavy yet affordable burden,” she said.
Christopher declared that most of their clients are women, and although domestic violence is the most common form of violence against this gender, men are also victims of abused.
She commended the local court system, particular the magistrate’s court, for its level of seriousness and urgency in which domestic matters are handled.
Christopher said that there are several anti-domestic preventative measures that the ministry has undertaken, which include going out to the workplace and churches.
“We’re using different avenues to get the information out there and we also provide services to help victims of domestic violence,” she said.
Permanent Secretary (PS) within the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Sharon Rattan said the problem of domestic violence is deeply embedded in persons in terms of the roles expected of a man and what is expected of a woman.
Rattan said there are many songs that degrade women and they are often heard in dancehall music. She was however in high praise of Queen Ifrica and Masud Sadiki.
“We need more committed artistes to carry social responsibility. Queen Ifrica is one, and the UN Women’s group in Barbados embarked on a project…and our very own Masud Sadiki is also one of those artistes,” she said.
The PS said that along with artistes, DJs need to be more aware of what they are putting out with regards to women.
“DJs should have a better understanding of the violent messages against women in the songs they play,” she said.
Director of Training at the Atlanta-based organisation Men Stopping Violence, Ulester Doulgas, who is originally from Sandy Point, said he was excited to be home to be a part of the workshop where he would be bringing his expertise in the area of domestic violence.
He said the issue of domestic violence lies in the fact that men are playing out messages they receive from society and have “subscribed to one of the destructive notions of masculinity”.
Douglas said that the beliefs that “a real man has many women as possible, a real man beats his woman, he needs to be ready for sex anytime and men don’t cry or are emotionally detached” are some of the destructive notions.
“Men are not prepared for intimacy and women are paying for it. We have to challenge the culture to stop reinforcing the message to men in calypso, reggae and all over,” he said.
“Could you imagine what happens if men cry? They get shunned. And if a man comes out and says he has been abused, he will be shamed,” Douglas added.
He said that the very message in what it means to be a man is causing destruction for women and making it difficult for men to heal and be good partners to their spouses.
Douglas posited that culture change begins within society and with the community taking responsibility.
“The media has a role to play; they put out important analysis and messages that challenge us to be different. The court has a responsibility and we all have to say what we can do, and there are opportunities every day to do something,” Douglas explained.
The workshop was held today under the theme ‘Creating a Healing Environment for Addressing Violence’, and was facilitated by Douglas and a Barbados-based nurse and volunteer named Mary Thompson.
