Dear daughters, sisters, mothers, and friends,
On March 8th, International Women’s Day, we are reminded again to celebrate the women in our lives and appreciate their contributions to our global community. While this should be a daily occurrence, we take the time to deliberately honour you as individuals and recognise your contribution to our lives and our nation. I appreciate you. You are special, loved, and designed with a purpose.
Throughout the various sectors of government and business, women stand strong and represent the highest levels of intelligence and productivity. At home, women farm, raise children, manage businesses, and hold the home together. As we take the time to salute the achievements and impact of our women, we must highlight the prevalence of violence against women and girls that continues to erode the fabric of our society and negatively reshape the story of many promising Vincentians.
In a viral video that circulated on social media this week, we witnessed the disgraceful and unprofessional conduct of a few of our nation’s finest as they detained a female public servant in a ministerial building. The absence of conflict resolution skills and more so lack of basic dignity displayed is only a symptom of a larger issue: an insufficiency of respect for women and girls in SVG.
Across the country, we are plagued with cases of young women disappearing or leaving home, incidents of molestation particularly against children, and rape. Very few of these cases, if even reported, end in charges being brought or serious jail time for offenders. In a report curated by the World Bank recently, St. Vincent recorded the highest levels of violence against women in the Eastern Caribbean. As a society, we have to ask ourselves what is causing this epidemic and how we can turn the tide before it’s too late.
Not too long ago, I wrote a letter to van drivers on this very platform, and in it I included a critique of the kind of music that reverberates daily. Much of it objectifies women by painting a picture of inanimate objects looking for attention or available to be used.
Despite the representation of women in high offices from Governor General to Speaker of the House, and across the public service, our women are seen as second tier. Our women and girls are not respected because they are not valued, and they are not valued because of how they are seen and portrayed. Instead of viewing them as wives and mothers, policy makers and entrepreneurs, they are looked at as “sneaky links” and “sex objects”.
As men, we must protect and provide for our women and maturely understand that that responsibility doesn’t come at a loss to us. When we treat the women in our lives with the respect that they deserve, as equals, we create a mutually beneficial relationship that sees us cared for, nurtured, and genuinely loved.
We, as men, and even women, must reshape the view of our female counterparts to lovers, not just lovemakers, to powerhouses not just placeholders. While our men might be the primary perpetrators of these false images, many of our women perpetuate this caricature by seeking roles like “baby mother” and enabling disrespectful behaviours.
We need to create new art and change the music to songs that promote the beauty of women apart from what they can offer physically. Women in power must step up to truly lead this country, not just play a position. When these things happen, the image will shift and inherently the level of respect.
Not dissimilar from my previous point, our culture, and that of the Caribbean, is an oversexualised culture that pressures young women to be “sexy” and even engage in sexual activities to be viewed as grown or to “respected” by peers. Young women and girls, especially, can lose their character chasing the hype of recognition.
A young woman I know was dating a mechanic and their relationship was the definition of toxic. They would love each other and then fight, so much so that he would beat her within an inch of her life and she’d walk away for a bit then come back running.
The couple had seven children and each time the woman was hoping the youngest one would make him love her a little more. Eventually, she found out he had been cheating with other women the whole time. This is not a story unique to St. Vincent — not even the region. In a desire to be seen and feel understood, this young woman gave her body and, more importantly, her heart.
Many young girls do the same to boys their age and even grown men who promise attention and monetary reward. Women will jump to and from abusive relationships and even take others’ partners boastfully just to have someone to come home to. Women, you don’t deserve the abuse; you are worth more. As much as the way the world sees our women matters, you must see yourself as worthy as well and refuse to be a compliant victim.
This letter wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging the necessary societal efforts required to create a lasting change. At the heart of solving the issue of violence against women is community. Young girls, especially in our towns and villages, must have positive role models that can guide and support them, not just enablers but encouragers.
These people show a genuine interest in the well-being of these women and invest time and effort in their development. As communities, we must recapture the mantle of caring for our neighbours, being aware of what’s going on and showing interest. Our nation’s organizations must take a multilateral approach to solving this pandemic.
Social programmes and education must incorporate programmes that empower women to respect, defend, and provide for themselves while mentoring men in the ancient art of chivalry. In tandem, law enforcement agencies and legislative bodies must prioritise this serious and dangerous subcategory of crime by enacting laws strengthening the protection of women and those who report violent crimes.
This requires a proactive approach in making deliberate efforts to build rapport within communities, responding in a timely manner to incidents of violence, treating survivors as victims and witnesses, not hostile combatants, and utilise investigative tools and resources in every case.
All in all, the future for women and girls can look bright for St. Vincent and the Grenadines if we have the courage, commitment, and self-awareness to address the issues mentioned and course correct. There are dozens of girls in dangerous and scary situations, waiting for us to advocate on their behalf. If not now, when?
Daniel Burgin
Well put! If not now, when?