International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was celebrated last Friday (November 25) across the world.

This year, the United Nations (UN) launched the UNiTE campaign, which will runs from November 25, as an initiative of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence concluding on International Human Rights Day (December 10).

The aim is to raise public awareness and mobilise people everywhere to bring about change.

With this, C&W Business recently hosted a webinar held under the theme: ‘Gender Based Violence – Breaking the Silence, Taking Action’.

The panel discussion consisted of three panelists speaking on the issue and the impact it has on the Jamaican society.

The panelists noted that gender-based violence, especially against women, is a noticeable issue in Jamaica that needs to be urgently addressed.

“The act of violence is a national issue; fighting has become a part of the Jamaica society. Information shows that a lot of work is needed, and several changes need to take place in order to reduce gender-based violence within the society,” said Phadra Saunders, director, people business partner at Flow.

Nardia McLaren, acting director of the Bureau of Gender Affairs, said gender-based violence usually takes place over time and in different forms before escalating.

“Domestic violence usually starts from emotional abuse – so, the name calling, shaming, shouting, blackmailing and manipulating is how it usually starts. It is important to know, however, that it will escalate further, because of the power imbalance. There is that one person who wants power,” McLaren noted.

The panelists noted that gender-based violence can take many forms and can happen to any gender.

It is also important to note that gender-based violence can be physical violence, sexual violence, emotional and psychological violence and socioeconomic violence.

One of the most widespread gender-based violence in Jamaica is domestic violence, especially against women.

The panel of speakers also discussed how individuals may go about identifying gender-based violence and the red flags to look out for in a partner.

Licensed Associate Counselling Psychologist Dr Craig McNally shared that, often the red flags are there and that there are ways in which individuals could go about identifying red flags in a partner.

“This red flag list is coming out of the women’s health study, which I suggest everyone who hasn’t seen yet to get a copy and use it to help in identifying red flags,” McNally said.

No privacy – having a partner that checks your phone regularly, wanting to know who you talk to, who is calling you.

“They are very jealousy. It’s not cute, it is actually very controlling and is evidence of a toxic relationship.”

Threating – being with a partner that threatens you probably is dangerous and is considered a red flag.  

“You may think it’s just a threat, but that should not be the case. People will look at violence and confuse it with desire and love thinking the partner loves them more when they are violent towards them,” McNally said.

The psychologist is urging any individual who may be in an abusive relationship, or is experiencing any form of gender-based violence, to report it.

The panelists also said that women experiencing domestic violence should leave the situation because things will only get worse.

“If you find it challenging to do, seek the necessary help from organisations that are there to help you.”

– Send feedback to [email protected]