From ratification to Implementation; The
importance of international treaties in
addressing Sexual and Gender based violence as
a national development concernHighlighting the work of UN Women
Gabrielle Henderson
The Crisis Centre Peace conference the Bahamas 2012
Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the
Caribbean what does the research tell
us?
vxdfvxdv
• (UNODC) and the World Bank
report that at 30 per 100,000
population annually, the murder
rates in the Caribbean are
higher than for any other region
of the world. In addition to high
rates of homicide, assault rates
are also significantly above
average.
• latest available data from the
UNODC’s Crime Trends Survey
(CTS), three of the top ten
recorded rape rates in the world
occur in the Caribbean.
Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the
Caribbean what does the research tell
us?
• A regional victimization survey
revealed that violence affects a
significant percentage of women
and girls in the Caribbean. 48
percent of adolescent girls’
reported that sexual initiation
was “forced” or “somewhat
forced” in nine Caribbean
countries.
Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the
Caribbean what does the research tell
us?
Worldwide patterns of violence indicate that
Women and men are affected
differentially by crime. Women are
more likely to be killed or sexually assaulted
by someone they know. In addition, because
fear of victimization can be disempowering,
it has the potential to constrain the ability
to participate fully in society.
Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the
Caribbean what does the research tell
us?
Women demonstrate higher levels of fear of
crime and violence.
Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the
Caribbean what does the research tell
us?
vxdfvxdv
Within the Caribbean, children
are disproportionately affected
by crime and violence.
Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the
Caribbean what does the research tell
us?
Although systematic data are not
available, scattered evidence
suggests that conviction
rates in the Caribbean are
alarmingly low. Resulting in
impunity.
Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the
Caribbean what does the research tell
us?
Cultural attitudes and
values which support
gender inequality and
condone violence against
women persist
Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the
Caribbean what does the research tell
us?
One in six women (16 percent) thinks
that a husband is justified in beating
his wife for at least one of the five
specified reasons. The main
circumstance in which women
believe wife beating is justified is if
the wife neglects her children (12
percent). Furthermore, 7 percent say
that wife beating is justified if the
wife argues with the husband, 6
percent if the wife goes out
without telling him, and 4 percent,
each, if the wife refuses to have
sexual intercourse with
her husband or burns the food.
Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the
Caribbean what does the research tell
us?
Men are slightly more likely (19
percent) than women (16 percent) to
think that a husband is justified in
beating his wife for any of the
specified reasons. Similar to women,
the main reason that men believe
wife beating is justified is if the wife
neglects her children (13 percent).
Another 8 percent of men say that
wife beating is justified if the wife
argues with the husband, 7 percent
say if the wife goes out without
telling him, and 4 percent each say if
the wife refuses to have sexual
intercourse with her husband or
burns the food. ( DHS Guyana)
Kick in She Back Door
[woman screaming]
[man mocking woman's voice "murder murder, ah kill he
gine kill me"]
If she front door lock and you can’t get in
And she bathroom window lock
And you can’t get in
And she bedroom window lock
And you can’t get in
And she kitchen window lock
And you can’t get in
What to do?
Kick in she back door
Kick in she back door
What ah mean?
Kick um in
And she bawling murder
[more screaming]
I don’t really know bout you
But I know just what to do
When a woman batten down she house
Make up she mind to keep you out
You push your key to find it jam
And it in {something} in you hand
So the solution to get inside
Cause she lock down she house so tight
Whether rain or shine
Morning, noon or night
Is the only way to win this fight
Chorus
[more screaming: "Call the police, come
of mi yard, you too damn wicked"]
Women does mek things real hard
Especially when they get mad
No matter how hard you try
No easy way to slip inside
So the solution to get inside
Cause she lock down she house so tight
Whether rain or sun
Morning, noon or night
Is the only way to win this fight
Actions to Achieve Gender
Equality, Human Rights and
EVAW
State Accountability
to meet Human
Rights obligations
Human Rights
Advocacy
Programming
Guided by
Treaties Beijing
Platform for
Action , MDG’s
Human Rights
( CEDAW , CRC , Belem
do Para)
Development Actions informed by human rights framework
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Legislative reform
Judicial reform access to justice
Awareness of rights and entitlement to enjoy them
To expose and combat rights violations
Sex disaggregated data collection
Primary Prevention addressing social and cultural change
Service provision
Economic empowerment
Facilitating Women’s leadership and political participation
Concluding Observation 22 CEDAW committee on the State Report of the Government
of the Bahamas
The committee recommends that the state party put in place without delay a
comprehensive strategy with results –oriented approach to eliminate stereotypes
that discriminate against women in the family, the workplace, in politics and in
society, in conformity with articles 2 f and 5 of the convention . such measures
should include concerted efforts, in a clear timeframe and in collaboration with
civil society to educate and raise awareness about this subject , targeting women
and men at all levels of society and should involve the school system and media
What is UN Women doing in
to End Violence against
women?
Strengthening State Accountability and Community
Action to Sexual and End Gender Based Violence
Pillars
Focused on Primary Prevention ( Cultural Change)
Service Delivery
Addressing Impunity – Access to Justice
Base line studies on Policing and Prosecution
Development of National Strategic plans on Gender Based
Violence
Response protocols
Training for Police and Judiciary ( Police , police
prosecutors, magistrates
Work with men and boys
Support to implementation of National Action Plans on
Gender Based Violence
• Men and Boys as Partners for Gender Equality and
EVAW
Partners for Peace – Man to Man
Community Intervention
Support Work of CariMAN
Supporting Regional Agenda on Work with Men and
Boys as partners ( Collaboration with UNFPA)
• CEDAW training and Advocacy including around
Optional Protocol ratification
• Support to Gender Policy Development and
implementation.
• Support to design and of data collection instrument
and implementation of data collection system
related to GBV in Dominica
• Some support to NGO Civil Society initiatives
one of Barbados’ print newspapers full page capture of the first Orange Day and
the efforts of UNiTE ambassador Michael “Mikey” Mercer support to Barbados’
shelter for victims of domestic violence through his Team Mikey campaign.
UNiTE has been given great visibility through Mikey’s initiative.
The Commission on the Status of Women (hereafter
referred to as “CSW” or “the Commission”) is a
functional commission of the United Nations Economic
and Social Council (ECOSOC). It is the principal global
policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender
equality and advancement of women. Every year,
representatives of Member States gather at United
Nations Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress
on gender equality, identify challenges, set global
standards and formulate concrete policies to promote
gender equality and women's empowerment
worldwide.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based
Violence (GBV) Campaign The 16 Days of
Activism for the Elimination of Gender Based
Violence Campaign is an annual international
campaign that runs from November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Gender
Based Violence, through December 10 International Human Rights Day.
Changing faces of Violence against Women
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78e8L
0zsJ4U