The Protection Against Violence Act came about as a result of the National Strategic Plan to address Gender-based violence that was approved by Cabinet in 2016.
The work started in 2013 when the Government launched a National Task Force to oversee the development, implementation and coordination of the plan.
The Protection Against Violence Commission is a major component of the act as its role will include oversight of data management and shelters, co-ordination of various related entities, ensuring that care and support services are provided to affected persons, and strengthening collaboration among key stakeholders. The Commission is a coordinating body in the fight against Gender-based Violence that will bring together all partners. The Department of Gender is currently carrying out comparable work.
Work on establishing the commission and a fully functioning secretariat is under way. The Department of Gender and Family Affairs will manage the secretariat and intends to operate the office at international standards for addressing Gender-based violence. The UN’s CEDAW Convention, and OAS’s Belem do Para outlined the actions that should be taken to address Gender-based Violence. These will become the standard operating procedures for the secretariat.
INITIATIVES TAKEN TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE
Recommendations from the Task Force also included the following: (i) the Creation of a Unified Family Court System, (ii) a National Community Awareness Programmes, (iii) Creation of the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, (iv) Male Mentoring Programmes, and (v) Set up of Family Island Coordination Councils.
Many goals have been met, and work continues on others.
Unified Court System: The Government has embarked on a Unified Family Court System.
Establishing a Department of Gender and Family Affairs: The Department of Gender and Family Affairs was established in 2016, building on work of the Women’s Desk, which was established in 1981. Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Intervention are among the programmes provided. This includes the National Early Intervention Programme for Children Exposed to Violence. The Department has been instrumental in providing grants to the Bahamas Crisis Centre for this Programme dating back to 2017.
Male Mentoring: The Department has a Men’s Desk which through its’ FLIRT (Fathers Learning Instructing Realigning Teens) programme conducts school visitations - interacting with Guidance Counselors and engaging students in public and private schools. Community outreach is undertaken to assist with after school care, in partnership with other men’s organizations.
Gender-Based Violence Family Island Coordination Councils: Family Island Coordination Councils were launched in several islands including Grand Bahama, Abaco, Exuma, Ragged Island, Eleuthera, Spanish Wells and Harbour Island. They foster community-based partnership to prevent violence and provide a support system for survivors of Gender-based violence. The Councils are comprised of volunteers from a cross-section of the communities. The Department of Gender and Family Affairs conducts ongoing trainings with Council members.
Community Awareness Programme: The Department of Gender and
Family Affairs continues its advocacy and awareness campaign on gender-based violence, domestic violence, women’s & men’s leadership, building stronger families, gender equality, CEDAW and Belem do Para Conventions, touching lives in New Providence, Grand Bahama and throughout the Family Islands.
