Focus on citizen security focus

One of the ways that UN Women plans on tackling the issue of strengthening data collection with regards to gender- based violence and then finding ways to prevent and curb incidences, is to work with the CARICOM Secretariat and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to develop a more citizen-based security system as opposed to a state security system.

This is according to UN Women Representative, Christine Arab, who delivered remarks recently at the Opening Ceremony of the Expert Group Meeting on Piloting Prevalence Surveys on Gender-Based Violence in the Caribbean at the Radisson Aquatica Resort.

“In working with CARICOM, OECS, and member states, UN Women’s work on gender-based violence aims to respond to the overarching premise that ‘Caribbean countries need to focus on a model of security based on the human development approach, whereby citizen security is paramount, rather than on the traditional state security model, whereby the protection of the state is the chief aim.’”

She said that this model looks at providing equal protection for the various groups, eliminating the different aspects that make someone susceptible to crime and mechanisms for strengthening police defence.

“This model emphasises a focus on the root causes of citizen insecurity, looking at the complementarily of social inclusion with efficient and effective law enforcement and criminal justice processes to prevent crime and violence. The equal protection and empowerment of women and men, girls and boys and their communities is seen as a mechanism of eradicating insecurities and vulnerabilities to crime.”

UN Women will also look at the legal framework and advise these stakeholders on how they can enhance their efforts on combating gender based violence, said Arab.

“We would implement and monitor the existing legal frameworks to combat gender-based violence in all its forms. This includes the very reason why we are here – supporting the development of a CARICOM model and implementation of National Prevalence Surveys on gender-based violence.”

This would be achieved through improving the current system of data reporting and collection; enhancing the ways that the relevant authorities respond to and tackle reports of gender-based violence and developing more efficient programmes and services for women and girls who have fallen victim
to this form of violence, explained the UN Women Representative.

“Our support to this region will focus on supporting strengthened protocols to ensure effective case referral processes, including collection of administrative data; strengthening response by the judicial and policing systems to combat impunity and improved and coordinated response services for women and girls who have experienced violence.”

In addition, they would also work on addressing the misconceptions of what makes a man, some of which can lead to gender-based violence, she stated.

“We would also significantly expand prevention efforts through an emphasis on addressing culturally sanctioned behaviours – including the complex issue of masculinities – which contribute to the perpetuation of violence against women and girls.” (PJT)