The fight against gender-based violence requires a coordinated effort and the firm dedication of the government, the private sector, civil society and every individual if a positive impact is expected, since the issue exists in educational environments, work places and even in homes.
It is within this perspective that the government, through the Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports, and the United States of America, through its embassy in Port-Louis, Mauritius are hosting a three-day workshop gathering all stakeholders directly involved in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), an issue which is harming millions worldwide, including communities and families.
Taking place at the Eden Bleu Hotel, the workshop – Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response – is gathering representatives of various ministries, departments, agencies and non-governmental organisations and its prime aim is to increase awareness on the scope of GBV and its impact on the individual and the community.
It is also to boost the capacity of the key stakeholders so that they can tackle, prevent and offer response to GBV, while it strengthens the coordination between the key stakeholders and create more synergies to tackle GBV.
The work was officially launched yesterday by the Minister for Family, Youth and Sports Marie-Celine Zialor, in the presence of chargée d’affaires at the US embassy in Mauritius, Judes DeBaere; Attorney General Frank Ally; team leader Dr Suzie Nelson; principal secretaries; chief executives and directors general of the various ministries and organisations involved.
Other than Dr Nelson, who is a child and adolescent psychiatrist with the Wright-Patterson Medical Centre Mental Health in Dayton, Ohio, other facilitators for the training include Dr Mathew Baker, who is an active duty United Air Force Major child and adolescent psychiatrist; Gisela Westwater, a lawyer with the United States Department of Justice; and Captain Andre Galeucia, an active duty United States Air Force Captain and clinical social worker at the Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England.
Launching the work, Minister Zialor noted that Seychelles has over the years seen unprecedented rise in the level of GBV in men and women alike.
She explained that the GVB National Baseline Study in December 2016 acknowledges the existence of violence against men and women particularly within the Seychellois community.
She said more than half of the women, and equivalent of 58 percent and 43 percent of men have experienced some kind of GBV as least once in their lives.
She also explained that the study further shows that most of the violence occurred in the homes between intimate partners.
The figures, she said, show 54 percent of women compared to 35 percent of men.
In her remarks, Ms DeBaere said the workshop has been made possible through support and funding from the United States Department of State, the United States Africa Command and the United States Air Force.
She commended the good coordination between the two governments in hosting the event, ensuring the health and safety of all participants during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Ms DeBaere added that, pandemic, or not, GBV remains a scourge that must be continually be combated, and deserves our dedication and resources.
Among the topics to be covered during the three-day session are System-Level Application of the Behavioural Change Model, Behaviour Change and Empathy, Evidence Based Trauma Informed Care (TIC), TIC and Addressing Problematic Behaviour for Youth, Application of the TIC Model to Legal interactions, Application of the TIC in the Justice System, Covid-19 impact on GBV, Clinical Approach to Perpetrators, Justice System Approach to Perpetrators, School-Based Approaches for social-Emotional Education, and Parents Resources and Resiliency.
According to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), GBV refers to harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender. It is rooted in gender inequality, the abuse of power and harmful norms.
It is a serious violation of human rights and a life-threatening health and protection issue. It is estimated that one in three women will experience sexual or physical violence in their lifetime. During displacement and times of crisis, the threat of GBV significantly increases for women and girls.
GBV is preventable and UNHCR is committed to promoting gender equality and human rights and to protecting refugees and other persons of concern from it.
Source: Seychelles Nation
