Gender Affairs Minister Emma Hippolyte is calling for renewed national action to address violence against women following the recent discovery of the body of a young woman off the Millennium Highway.
In a statement on Monday, the Department of Equity, Social Justice, Gender and Older Persons said the discovery is a cause for “serious concern”, noting that it comes amid an increase in reports of missing persons, including women, in recent months and the murder of another young mother – Joy St Omer – four months ago.
Hippolyte said the apparent increase in acts of violence against women, together with the public outcry, suggests that people believe national efforts to eradicate such violence are inadequate or that new approaches are needed.
“The apparent increase in such acts of violence, coupled with the public outcry against them, suggests that the public believes national efforts to eradicate violence against women are inadequate or that new approaches must be employed,” the minister said.
“While it is true that a country cannot thrive when its citizens feel unsafe, it is equally true that progress is hindered by division.”
Hippolyte is calling on Saint Lucians to renew their commitment to the shared goal of eradicating violence in all its forms, including violence against women.
She said this requires both honest self-reflection and collective action, including looking at how individuals may contribute to the problem and developing solutions at the individual, community and institutional levels.
The Department said it is responsible for coordinating social interventions with partners in the national security, health, justice and education sectors, as well as civil society.
Hippolyte said the Department will strengthen its work with relevant agencies, the public, families affected by violence and non-governmental organisations.
“As Minister, I want to reassure the public that the Department will intensify its efforts to work with all relevant agencies and the general public to address this troubling trend. We will strengthen our engagement with the families of victims of violence and the NGOs working alongside them, and listen to their perspectives on how best we can respond to their concerns and needs,” she said.
Hippolyte is also appealing to all sectors to support efforts to create safer spaces, particularly for children, women, older persons and those who are most vulnerable in society.
“I am therefore appealing to all sectors to stand with the social sector in this effort as we work together to demand and create safer spaces for everyone, especially our children, women, older persons and those who are most vulnerable in our society,” Hippolyte said.
The minister said ending violence is a shared responsibility and called on people to speak up, take action and support one another.
