The Bahamas will join other nations across the globe this month to recognize International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The UNiTE campaign, which promotes the conclusions that were agreed by members of the 57th Session on the Commission on the Status of Women held in New York, March 2013, is aimed at drawing more attention to the menace of violence against women.
The consensus among other things is that violence against women is a global phenomenon and constitutes violation of the enjoyment of our fundamental human rights. It has been further established that violence against women is rooted in gender stereotypes; historical and structural inequality in power relations between women and men are a factor and the problem encompasses physical, sexual and psychological harm.
Orange Day
The U.N.'s UNiTE campaign employs and encourages several strategies that can and will increase the level of awareness of violence against women. One such initiative is Orange Day, which is celebrated on the 25th day of every month. This is against the backdrop that violence against women should not only be celebrated on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which is celebrated on November 25 each year. The objective of Orange Day therefore is to ensure that this vital topic is engraved in each calendar month of the year.
The UNiTE campaign promotes activities such as wearing something orange, or forming a cross on your body or taking a picture and making it your FB/Twitter profile picture on the 25th of each month. Additional efforts involving the writing of letters to members of Parliament to request of them actions aimed at ending sexual violence against women and girls should also be explored.
The efforts of local public, private and non-governmental bodies in educating the populace on this social ill must be applauded. It is noteworthy to state that the Zonta clubs of Nassau will later this month be launching an initiative to bring greater awareness to this ill that impacts many women and girls across the globe.
Engagement of the whole community
Statistics reveal that an increasing number of youth and adolescents are subjected to violence not only in their homes by family members and/or close family friends, but also in their personal relationships with their partners. It is imperative therefore that young people are involved on a large scale and educated at the earliest opportunity.
A national campaign aimed at engaging our young people should be explored. An initiative which seeks the input of young people on how violence against women and girls can be prevented and addressed will be helpful in this regard. Additionally, the involvement of our students via competitions in various schools, as well as civic and religious organizations, will sow seeds in their young minds to the betterment of our country.
Schools should also be encouraged to give themes to certain events. In addition, civic society and the religious community must also take their rightful roles in the fight and host seminars, presentations, panel discussions on violence against women, particularly organizations/groups geared toward women. More importantly, advocates against violence against women should make every effort to visit schools and give lectures to educate our future leaders and stem the perpetuation of this evil.
Corporate Bahamas also has a vital role that it can assume in the fight against violence against women and girls. Corporate leaders and human resource professionals can endorse Orange Day on the 25th of each month and host seminars, lectures or training sessions on pertinent topics like sexual harassment in the workplace and issues that impact women. Staff should be trained to recognize signs of violence against women and understand laws and company policies regarding the same and to identify and address security issues, including the safety of women travelling to and from work and on company-related business.
It is incumbent upon corporations to implement robust policies that address matters of sexual harassment and other issues relating to women, thereby establishing a zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of violence at work, including verbal and or physical abuse and sexual harassment.
Spreading the message
All hands must be on deck and all forms of media employed to spread the message that all forms of violence against women will not be tolerated in our Bahamaland. In this regard, social media is an effective vehicle as persons of diverse age groups utilize this tool for personal, business and networking purposes. Hence, an effective public relations strategy using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and others to share information on the negative impact of violence against women on our society and sensitizing users to the importance of Orange Day will be invaluable.
In addition to social media, other forms of communication such as e-mail and text blasts, writings and letters to the editors can be utilized to educate the public. Talk show hosts can also commit to hosting shows that are dedicated to discouraging violence against women and entertaining victims and/or advocates in the fight against domestic violence to help sensitize the public.
A call for advocates
Advocacy will no doubt form a major part of a successful campaign and will provide the platform for greater education and awareness on the issue of violence against women. It is a known fact that many victims of domestic violence suffer in silence and are afraid to speak due to fear, shame, embarrassment and the uncertainty as to whether their stories will be accepted. Nevertheless, advocacy is important in this fight and those who are survivors and are strong enough to tell their stories must do so with boldness and courage.
There are multiple conventions agreed by the United Nations that seek to end all forms of violence against women. We must ensure that the relevant conventions are adopted and confirm that local legislation is in line with international human rights standards to provide adequate protection for women and girls in state custody and care.
Supporting the cause
It is imperative that steps are taken by the government to support education, sensitization, training and strengthening of the capacity of public officials and professionals to address the issue of violence against women and girls. In particular, officers of our police and defence forces who come into contact which such victims on a regular basis should be well equipped and trained to handle these matters.
The public and private sectors should work together to ensure that sufficient safe houses aimed at providing protection for women and children who fall victim to this disease are available in The Bahamas. The absences of such havens make the decision to leave an abusive relationship more challenging for victims.
In the final analysis, domestic violence is a social issue that impacts all areas of society, every class of men, women and children regardless of their social positions. It is a topic that does not receive a vast amount of airplay in the media unless reported in the form of a homicide when it is unfortunately one more victim too late. We must join the fight to rid our society of this ill that is not unique to our borders but continues to impact the lives of many emotionally, physically, psychologically and mentally, among others. We encourage all Bahamians to support the Zonta clubs as they take the lead in providing greater awareness to ending violence against women.
o Comments on this article can be directed at a.s.komolafe510@gmail.com.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian