Dr. Carla Barnett, the secretary general of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), is urging the member states in the region to make investments in the prevention of violence against women and girls as well as the empowerment of marginalized communities by providing them with access to high-quality healthcare and education.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Human Rights Defenders’ Day on November 29, World AIDS Day on December 1, and Human Rights Day on December 10 are the four significant observances that are included in the CARICOM Secretariat’s annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which concludes on December 19. Barnett made this announcement in a statement.
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These commemorations, according to her, serve as a reminder that violence keeps women and girls from fully exercising their basic rights.
Activists launched the campaign in 1991 at the Women’s Global Leadership Institute’s founding, more than thirty years ago. The United Nations Secretary-General started the “UNITE by 2030” campaign to End Violence against Women in 2008 in support of this civil society-led initiative. This campaign runs concurrently with the 16 Days of Activism.
“UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls” is this year’s UNITE Campaign focus, according to Barnett.
According to her, the theme is also in line with the Commission on the Status of Women’s 2024 priority theme, which is centered on “Accelerating the Achievement of Gender Equality and the Empowerment of all Women and Girls by Addressing Poverty and Strengthening Institutions and Financing with a Gender Perspective”.
https://cdn.vuukle.com/widgets/quiz.html?version=1.13.0 Moreover, it will hasten the accomplishment of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5.
Barnett stated, “The campaign calls on everyone, including development partners, civil society organizations, women’s organizations, youth, the private sector, and the media, to join forces to address VAWG. It also calls on governments worldwide to share how they are investing in gender-based violence prevention.
The Secretary-General added, “VAWG remains one of the most pervasive forms of human rights violations in the world and cuts across all races, cultures, genders, and educational backgrounds. Despite the existence of regional and global policies and legislation to combat VAWG, weak enforcement and discriminatory practices remain significant barriers to ending VAWG.”
According to her, 736 million women worldwide—nearly one in three—have experienced intimate relationship abuse, non-partner sexual assault, or both at some point in their lives.
“In the Caribbean, prevalence surveys conducted between 2016 and 2019 show that one in two women is affected by intimate partner violence, even higher than the global average.”
According to the Secretary General of CARICOM, violence against women and girls has been more prevalent over time and in a variety of contexts, including the COVID-19 pandemic, when women were compelled to take refuge in their homes with their abusers.
Barnett stated that there are further social and economic ramifications for families, communities, and societies as a whole from violence against women, “Several member states reported exponential rates of increased cases. These reports were corroborated by Rapid Gender Assessments Surveys on the impact of COVID-19 on VAW conducted by UN Women in 13 countries.”
She added, “Everyone must continue to invest in preventing violence against our women and girls. It is an investment in our shared future. Allocating resources to prevention programs, education, and support services, is an essential step toward creating sustainable change.”
Barnett remarked, “By prioritizing prevention, we empower communities to break the cycle of violence and build societies that uphold the rights and well-being of every individual, especially our women, and girls.”
Barnett is recommending that people wear orange during the 16 Days of Activism, “and on the 25th of each month, as a symbol of hope for a brighter future where women and girls live free from violence”.
