Stakeholders are calling on organisations to curb gender-based violence within their establishments by normalizing conversations surrounding the issue.

Gender-based violence is violence directed at someone specifically because of their biological sex or gender identity. It can take the form of inflicting mental, emotional and/or physical suffering or harm. It also includes threats, coercion and deprivation.

“Talking about gender-based violence issues that affects people in organisations is something that needs to be normalized,” Phadra Saunders, director, people business partner at Flow said during a panel discussion.

Saunders was speaking during a C&W Business webinar which was held under the theme: ‘Gender -Based Violence – Breaking the Silence, Taking Action’.

“There is a mentality surrounding gender-based violence, and what we need is for all organization to make that declaration to stand against violence in all its forms from sexual harassment within the workplace, because that’s also a violation of women’s right, men’s right, human right and it does create anger and other issues,” Saunders continued.

She said giving space to organisations to bring more messages everywhere needs to also be normalized as well.

All the panelist agreed that abuse breeds abuse and much needs to be done in order to curtail gender -based violence across Jamaica.

“The anger that’s built up at work leads you to go home you kick your dog, or even someone. I believe in the fundamental things, talking about loving organization, and loving each other. It is not a normal conversation, but that needs to be normalized,” Saunders said.

Dr Craig McNally licensed associate counselling psychologist was also a part of the panel discussion. He believes that having enough policies within organisations would help drastically in addressing the issue of gender-based violence within the work environment.

“Policies, just ensuring that enough policies are in place at all levels and types of organization, we are talking even within our schools and being very specific about them as well,” Dr McNally said.

Meanwhile, Nardia McLaren acting director and community liaison at the Bureau of Gender Affairs who was engaged in the discussion, noted that the organization has placed gender ambassadors in schools to help raise awareness about gender-based violence within the society.

“This is happening within our society and it’s not ok; it is an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed.”

The three panelists agreed that the issues need to be nipped at the bud and so, schools should be targeted in order to increase the consciousness of these social issues affecting the society.

“Just creating the awareness from the school level of what it is and that it is not ok because it’s really an infringement on other people’s rights. Creating that awareness is critical to be able to identify and speak about it,” Saunders noted.

She encourages schools to create safe spaces where students can talk about the issues which can result in interventions to help address the problem.