Elimination Of Violence Against Women Day
The BPSU Women’s Committee acknowledged that today [Nov 25] has been designated by the UN as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and said they “recognize the importance of standing in solidarity in support of all efforts to eradicate violence against women.”
Lisa Christopher, the Chair of the Women’s Committee, said, “The Women’s Committee of the Bermuda Public Services Union would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge that today, November 25th, has been designated by the United Nations as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
“We recognize the importance of standing in solidarity in support of all efforts to eradicate violence against women.
“Despite international efforts, many of our sisters around the world continue to be the victims of violence. According to the UN, it is estimated that 35% of women and girls globally experience some form of physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime with this statistic rising as high as 7 in 10 for some jurisdictions.
“Of great concern are those women in the areas of conflict who have faced, and continue to face, brutal acts of violence as a weapon of war. It is estimated that 133 million women and girls have experienced female genital mutilation/cutting.
“In addition, approximately, 700 million women alive today were married as children of which 250 million were married before the age of 15.
“It is vital to protect our women and children against inequalities and discrimination. It is our hope that the 2030 UN Agenda will lead the world out of poverty. We applaud the decision of the ILO Governing Body to table a discussion on international labor standards to stop violence in the work place.
“Meanwhile here in Bermuda, the 2013 Bermuda Health Council’s Health Disparities Report recorded that 1 in 8 adults have experienced domestic violence. It has been reported that Bermuda’s police responds to upwards of 75 domestic abuse reports monthly.
“Over the past 25 years, 25 persons have been killed due to domestic violence with 90% of all homicides deemed to have been domestic violence related. Although our local statistics on domestic violence are shocking, experts believe that many more of our sisters suffer in silence as many cases going unreported. Victims often are reluctant to report abuse out of fear and/or a perceived stigma attached to domestic violence.
“Violence against women must not be tolerated anywhere, at any level or in any aspect of life. We collectively feel the pain when one of our sisters is mentally and/or physically harmed and recognize the impact that this has on our society.
“We support all programs and government initiatives that are in place to eliminate gender-based violence, however, we recognize that there needs to more done to address this issue.
“The BPSU Women’s Committee will continue to support such efforts via the work that we do within our own organization and the community at large. In the upcoming months, our Committee will be holding discussions that will seek to address violence both in the work place and at home.
“We must do more,” concluded Ms Christopher.
Infographic created by the UN for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women:
