Youth advocates looking to present proposals to tackle GBV
Published:Saturday | December 2, 2023 | 12:08 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
The Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) hopes to present the government and stakeholders with a position paper that includes recommendations for addressing gender-based violence (GBV).
Shanielle Allen, policy and advocacy coordinator at JYAN, who was speaking at the Youth Against GBV forum on Tuesday at The Summit House (formerly Knutsford Court Hotel), discussed the desire of young people to address GBV issues from an early stage.
She stated that future generations should not have to deal with GBV issues, but would instead read about such events in history books, much like they would about World War I (WWI) and WWII.
“We want to end GBV with our generation. We don’t want for the [next generation] to be having these conversations as vehemently as we are having them now,” said Allen.
GBV is violence directed against a person because of that person’s gender. It also refers to violence that affects people of a particular gender disproportionately, with women and girls being particularly vulnerable.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in three women worldwide will be a victim of physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives.
The global campaign known as the 16 days of activism against GBV commenced on November 25, which marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on Human Rights Day, December 10. It is an international movement which calls for the end to violence against girls and women in particular.
JYAN’s position paper titled, ‘Youth voices: Youth position on GBV’, currently consists of information on the short- and long-term impact of GBV, the effects it has on the psychological and physical aspects of girls and women, how it infringes on their rights and the threat it poses to United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Additionally, local statistics are provided with a regional comparison. Cultural and societal sentiments that support GBV are highlighted and the current measures in place to protect individuals, mainly Jamaican women.
The paper’s recommendations seek to effect change and request aid in the organisation’s fight against GBV. Recommendations include a revision of current legislation.
Strengthen existing laws
In order to strengthen existing laws like the Childcare and Protection Act, the Sexual Offences Act, the Offences Against the Person Act, and the Domestic Violence Act, JYAN is calling for the inclusion of a modern reflection of various forms of GBV and the removal of discriminatory elements that impede victim protection and redress.
They point out that in order to provide proactive protection, revisions and subsequent amendments must take into account the fact that all women might be victims of GBV in a variety of settings, including the workplace, community, and even the home.
They also contend that as the existing Sexual Harassment Act (2021) mainly protects against sexual harassment that happens in the workplace, in institutions, when renting property, when conducting business, or in any other everyday interaction, it should be expanded to include harassment that might occur in the streets or public passenger vehicles.
The second recommendation is to include school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV) in legislation, policies and action plans.
Allen explained that girls and women are often subjected to abuse and discriminatory practices in learning institutions because of their gender. She called on legislation and school governing policies designed by the Ministry of Education and Youth to acknowledge this reality and to work with the Ministry of Justice to ensure adequate protection of youths through the design of policies that offer protection, redress and outline possible punishments for perpetrators of assault.
The next recommendation is for a specialised reporting system to be established, where a centralised platform is created in support of victims making reports and for the cases to be referred to the appropriate authorities.
Such a system should also be easily accessible, child-sensitive and confidential. It must offer counselling, support and referrals where necessary, Allen said.
The JYAN’s final recommendation is for the government, primarily through the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport (MCGES) to undertake a public education and sensitisation campaign, leveraging all forms of media to raise awareness on GBV, the harmful notions that perpetuate it, and a general call to end violence against women and girls.