Online gender-based violence platform launched

The Ministry of Gender has implemented an online platform aimed at raising awareness on the issue of gender-based violence.

The platform, which was developed in partnership with the UNFPA Caribbean Sub-Regional Office, will be hosted, managed and maintained by the Bureau of Gender Affairs, a division of the Ministry.

It was launched yesterday at a public forum titled ‘Big Ooman and Big Man Chat: Addressing Intimate Partner Violence’ hosted by the bureau at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston.

Gender Minister Olivia Grange said that the online platform will, among other things, “provide a safe and secure space that allows victims and survivors to share their experiences and find support.”

It will also provide basic information on clinical and health services providers.

Grange thanked the UNFPA for partnering with the Ministry saying, “We could not have done it alone. This is a fantastic tool and we will make use of it.”

She also officially launched the first public education campaign – No Excuse for Abuse – being implemented as part of the National Strategic Action Plan to Eliminate Gender-based Violence.

“This is not another campaign to sensitise people about the horrific effects of violence against women.  This campaign is about behaviour change and destroying the conditions that enable, condone, ignore and treat violence against women as a normal part of life,” Minister Grange said.

The No Excuse for Abuse Campaign will target both women and men, perpetrators of violence, survivors, and people experiencing violence as well as those witnessing it.

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