What is Your Life Worth?
" Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
To a great extent the Jamaican society has become desensitized to the evils around. The evils which come readily to mind are crime, violence and gender-based violence. However, last week the society was jolted by the murders of two young women by their male partners in a 24 hour time period. Sadly, domestic violence is not new to the society. Gone are the days when intimate partner violence was rooted only in the lower-socio economic background;it cuts across ethnicity, race, religion and educational levels. On closer examination of these disturbing and shocking crimes we now realize that violence against women knows no boundaries. The statistics available from the police points to intolerable levels of violence against women and girls in the Jamaica society. It is estimated by the United Nations that 35 per cent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or sexual violence by a non-partner (not including sexual harassment) at some point in their lives. However, some national studies show that up to 70 per cent of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. Reports from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) revealed that between January 1, 2016 and February 4, 2017, the police arrested and charged 1442 perpetrators for violent offences against women and children. A World Report on Violence and Health defines violence as the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual against oneself, or another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation. Evidence shows that women who have experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence report higher rates of depression, having an abortion and acquiring HIV, compared to women who have not. Males for the most part have been brought up in a culture of entitlement and privilege and sadly this extends to women's bodies. Some will argue too that our Judea Christian background in which patriarchy is a central feature succinctly supports the notion of gender- based violence. It is said that Jamaica is a Christian society and as such the church plays an integral role in the process of socialization. The church as a body is male dominated; in fact in some denominations women are not allowed to have leadership roles. Women are voiceless and powerless in some denominations and this spirit of powerlessness is extended to the wider society. Men are socialized to be the head of the household or the priest in his home. Clearly the Bible does not tell men to abuse and inflict harm on their womenfolk but for some men they are not equip to or care not to separate the word of God and perhaps their interpretation of the Scriptures. The church can and should do more in equipping their members to speak out against violence against women. Yes, the State has a responsibility to protect women but the State alone cannot do all that needs to be done in educating and providing safe spaces for women who have been abused by men. Do we need a cultural shift in the society regarding how men ought to respect women? There needs to be cultural mindset in terms of how men and women respect each other. The manner in which we socialize our young people needs to be revisited. We cannot allow the popular culture namely the music to dictate how relationship should be. The message from some aspect of our music is rather toxic and misogynistic and paints women as merely sex objects. The objectification of women is perpetuated in the society by agents of the socialization process. Why not listen to some of the lyrics now making the rounds in the dancehall? The lyrics are disturbing and unhealthy; unfortunately women are the main supporters of this genre of music. We are in trouble. Disturbingly, many women have grown up to believe and accept that if their intimate partner does not beat them then he does not love them. It is a rather twisted psychology which is still being passed on in this 21st century. Our women should be taught from early that the first time a man abuses them they should leave the relationship. There are too many stories of women returning to abusive and toxic relationships only to be killed later on. The penalties for violence against women also need to be looked at with the intention of increasing the prison terms. Regrettably, many of these incidents are premeditated. The abuser usually speaks openly about killing or harming the women and then committing suicide. Gender-based violence (GBV) is a human rights violation, a public health challenge, and a barrier to civic, social, political, and economic participation. Many women also experience verbal abuse at the hands of their intimate partners. As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Jamaica has taken a stance regarding the human rights of women; however, more practical work is needed to break the cycle of violence and abuse. The society must do more to empower women and girls in order for them to realize it is not ok to be abused. There is no shame in seeking help if one is trapped in an abusive relationship. The shame is suffering in silence. Speak out! Speak up! Ladies get out of that bad relationship. One life lost to gender based violence is one life too many. The society needs a national dialogue in terms of how best to tackle gender based violence and moving forward. The signs are always there in an abusive relationship, open your eyes! Stay away from that controlling male; who tries to cut off your communication with your family. Say No to gender-based violence.
@WayneCamo
©
#genderbasedviolence #intimatepartnerviolence #domesticviolence #genderequality
To a great extent the Jamaican society has become desensitized to the evils around. The evils which come readily to mind are crime, violence and gender-based violence. However, last week the society was jolted by the murders of two young women by their male partners in a 24 hour time period. Sadly, domestic violence is not new to the society. Gone are the days when intimate partner violence was rooted only in the lower-socio economic background;it cuts across ethnicity, race, religion and educational levels. On closer examination of these disturbing and shocking crimes we now realize that violence against women knows no boundaries. The statistics available from the police points to intolerable levels of violence against women and girls in the Jamaica society. It is estimated by the United Nations that 35 per cent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or sexual violence by a non-partner (not including sexual harassment) at some point in their lives. However, some national studies show that up to 70 per cent of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. Reports from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) revealed that between January 1, 2016 and February 4, 2017, the police arrested and charged 1442 perpetrators for violent offences against women and children. A World Report on Violence and Health defines violence as the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual against oneself, or another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation. Evidence shows that women who have experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence report higher rates of depression, having an abortion and acquiring HIV, compared to women who have not. Males for the most part have been brought up in a culture of entitlement and privilege and sadly this extends to women's bodies. Some will argue too that our Judea Christian background in which patriarchy is a central feature succinctly supports the notion of gender- based violence. It is said that Jamaica is a Christian society and as such the church plays an integral role in the process of socialization. The church as a body is male dominated; in fact in some denominations women are not allowed to have leadership roles. Women are voiceless and powerless in some denominations and this spirit of powerlessness is extended to the wider society. Men are socialized to be the head of the household or the priest in his home. Clearly the Bible does not tell men to abuse and inflict harm on their womenfolk but for some men they are not equip to or care not to separate the word of God and perhaps their interpretation of the Scriptures. The church can and should do more in equipping their members to speak out against violence against women. Yes, the State has a responsibility to protect women but the State alone cannot do all that needs to be done in educating and providing safe spaces for women who have been abused by men. Do we need a cultural shift in the society regarding how men ought to respect women? There needs to be cultural mindset in terms of how men and women respect each other. The manner in which we socialize our young people needs to be revisited. We cannot allow the popular culture namely the music to dictate how relationship should be. The message from some aspect of our music is rather toxic and misogynistic and paints women as merely sex objects. The objectification of women is perpetuated in the society by agents of the socialization process. Why not listen to some of the lyrics now making the rounds in the dancehall? The lyrics are disturbing and unhealthy; unfortunately women are the main supporters of this genre of music. We are in trouble. Disturbingly, many women have grown up to believe and accept that if their intimate partner does not beat them then he does not love them. It is a rather twisted psychology which is still being passed on in this 21st century. Our women should be taught from early that the first time a man abuses them they should leave the relationship. There are too many stories of women returning to abusive and toxic relationships only to be killed later on. The penalties for violence against women also need to be looked at with the intention of increasing the prison terms. Regrettably, many of these incidents are premeditated. The abuser usually speaks openly about killing or harming the women and then committing suicide. Gender-based violence (GBV) is a human rights violation, a public health challenge, and a barrier to civic, social, political, and economic participation. Many women also experience verbal abuse at the hands of their intimate partners. As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Jamaica has taken a stance regarding the human rights of women; however, more practical work is needed to break the cycle of violence and abuse. The society must do more to empower women and girls in order for them to realize it is not ok to be abused. There is no shame in seeking help if one is trapped in an abusive relationship. The shame is suffering in silence. Speak out! Speak up! Ladies get out of that bad relationship. One life lost to gender based violence is one life too many. The society needs a national dialogue in terms of how best to tackle gender based violence and moving forward. The signs are always there in an abusive relationship, open your eyes! Stay away from that controlling male; who tries to cut off your communication with your family. Say No to gender-based violence.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and
social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect
culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com@WayneCamo
©
#genderbasedviolence #intimatepartnerviolence #domesticviolence #genderequality
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