Men Urged to Speak Out on Violence Against Women and Girls

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, has called on men to raise their voices against violence towards women and girls.

“I am making a special appeal to the men, because men are the main perpetrators of violence against women and so they are able to do something about it. I want men to speak to men who they know are perpetrators. I want men to stand up for their women and to ensure that the abuse does not continue,” she said.

“I want to say to the men that you have a responsibility to ensure that we protect our women and that we achieve our objectives of gender mainstreaming, gender equality, gender equity and a more sustainable development going forward, in the interest of growing our nation,” she added.

Minister Grange was addressing a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank held at the agency’s head office in Kingston on December 1.

She also called on citizens to support the Ministry’s efforts during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.

The 16 Days of Activism is an international campaign, which takes place each year and runs from International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, to Human Rights Day on December 10.

The period includes other observances, such as World AIDS Day on December 1 and the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on December 3.

Director, Policy and Research, Bureau of Gender Affairs, Sharon Robinson, said the entity is hosting several sensitisation sessions during the 16 Days of Activism on issues of domestic violence and trafficking in persons.

She endorsed the Minister’s appeal for men to take a stand against gender-based violence.

“I believe that men are poised to make huge inroads if they can actually get the message themselves of being non-violent and embracing the idea of partnership and harmonious relationships. It is in partnerships that we are going to achieve,” she said.