Women’s Department holds forum on violence

Today the Women’s Deparment celebrated International Day to end Violence Against Women and this afternoon students filled St. Mary’s Parish Hall to hear more about domestic violence in Belize. Acting Departmental Director, Brenda Garbutt, told News Five about the need for men and women to work together to combat violence in the home, while some young people offered some views of their own.

Brenda Garbutt, Acting Director Women’s Department

“We are looking at both men and women as joint partners in trying to eliminate domestic violence in Belize. We started having a masculinity workshop which help the men to look at their behaviour and to look at how that behaviour can be re-channeled into a positive way to eliminate domestic violence in our community.”

Omar Avilez, Student, S.J.C. Sixth Form

“I think that a lot of women are being abused and the best thing they can is to seek help from the police or at least from friends. Get away from the situation as soon as possible. Cause it’s not right for any person. Even if men are being abused just get away from the situation.

Kristy Lee McKenzie, Student, Wesley College

“I think that domestic violence is a big problem in Belize that we need to get rid of. We can get rid of it if we educate our young women from the start. Domestic violence is nothing to put up with.”