Activists take to the streets against gender-based violence

The Women’s Department, the National Committee for Families and Children and others are waging war against gender-based violence. Today they took their message to the streets as they kicked off their annual Sixteen Days of Activism. To cement the message, today’s ceremonies included touching testimonials from sexual abuse victims and a very clear statement of zero tolerance to violence. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Today commenced sixteen days of activism against gender-based violence across the country and to kick things off a parade was held through the principal streets of the Old Capital.  The road march succeeded an official opening ceremony that was held this afternoon at the Yarborough Green.  Activities will be held countrywide and are set to conclude on December tenth which is celebrated as Human Rights Day.  Members of the Women’s Department, the National Committee for Families and Children and other related organizations were all present for the brief launch. Director of Women’s Department is Icilda Humes.

icilda humes

Icilda Humes, Director, Women’s Department

“In our efforts to strengthen our advocacy work the Women’s Department through the UNIFEM State Accountability Project contracted a consultant to develop a communication campaign based on gender-based violence with a special focus on sexual violence.  One of the issues that this campaign will highlight is re-victimizing the victim an issue which we believe has a direct correlation to underreporting of sex crimes in Belize.”

Guest speaker at today’s event was Ifasina Efunyemi, a women’s rights advocate.  She is also a journalist and sexual abuse survivor.  Efunyemi recounted a disturbing experience of being raped at the age of seventeen.

Ifasina Efunyemi, Guest Speaker

Ifasina Efunyemi

“It’s always the case where it’s held against the woman.  See, it’s a, to them, to anybody including other women it’s our fault for putting ourselves in that situation and I’m saying no it’s not our fault and no one has the right to violate us.  And I’m hoping that in sharing this story that women would find the voice to start to speak up, speak up against this kind of violation.”

It is a sentiment that is echoed by the United Nations Population Fund.

Guest Speaker

“Today and everyday we must speak out forcefully for zero tolerance of all forms of violence against women and girls and we must recognize that this is not a woman’s issue.  This is an issue that concerns all of us.  In these sixteen days leading up to Human Rights Day, December tenth and everyday thereafter let us come together to demand an end to the most pervasive yet least reported human rights abuse in the world.  Let us all take a stand and say loud and clear “ no to violence against women.”  Let’s work together to end sexual violence by providing the necessary information by enforcing the laws that support the protection of women and by providing the necessary support to women who are victims.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.

The activities continue on Saturday with a free legal clinic at the University of the West Indies auditorium.