Antigua and Barbuda Government Steps Up Fight Against Gender-Based Violence

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Government Steps Up Fight Against Gender-Based Violence

Senator Michael Joseph has outlined the government’s commitment to addressing gender-based violence through new policies and initiatives, including the development of shelters and legislative reforms.

“There will be zero tolerance for gender-based violence,” Senator Joseph said during the budget debate. “We will move Heaven and Earth to ensure that our women and girls are protected.”

Plans are underway to establish a shelter for abused women and families in transition, with work expected to begin in 2025. “We have signed an MOU with an NGO that has already secured funding, and we will collaborate with them to bring this facility to fruition,” he said.

The government is also working on reforms to tackle workplace harassment and abuse. “A draft policy on sexual harassment, developed with support from UN Women, is with the Attorney General’s office for review,” Senator Joseph said. He explained that this policy aims to ensure safer and more equitable workplaces.

The reopening of the Support and Referral Center on Friendly Alley, which provides assistance to victims of violence, has been another significant step. “The center is recognised as a model of best practices, with international partners like the Government of Chile expressing interest in learning from our operations,” Senator Joseph said.

Senator Joseph reaffirmed the government’s focus on creating a society that prioritises gender equality and safety for vulnerable populations. “This is about ensuring that every woman and girl in Antigua and Barbuda can live free from fear and harm,” he said.

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4 COMMENTS

  1. What are we trying to solve here?
    It is “gender based violence” or “violence against females”?

    According to the United Nations definition on the subject (https://www.unhcr.org/what-we-do/protect-human-rights/protection/gender-based-violence) both males and females are at risk.

    Therefore, it is imperative that we create a framework that solves the problem holistically as defined and refrain from this preconceived notion that females are paragons of virtue.

  2. This information only have to do with the violence against female. I thought gender based is referring to both male and female. Now why is it we have so much laws that support female and not male. Men are also abuse by the opposite sex. Look at the amount of women who are using men and causing them to spend time in jail innocently. I have seen men who accuse for rape and threatened only because the female not getting what she want. Do u understand the burden? That the man image has change in the sight of the public. He’s a married man and have children. Only because of the accusations his family has fallen apart. Innocent he spent months in jail and what he gain from it nothing. We must be fair. We cannot be delusional and support just females because they are weaker vessel.

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