Gender-based violence

​Violence against women is violence against humanity. This violent crime, assault, abuse, is not acceptable, is not okay, is not to be taken as a normal response in any situation.

 Violence against women is the end of the line. it does not come about in and of itself. The precursors to violence against women are many, having their roots in a broad range of societal constructs. And though many do not acknowledge this, there are sadly many women , along with many men, who support and propagate this behaviour by that segment of the male population who abuse, assault and murder

Many have already raised their voices in outrage at the recent and not so recent tragic losses caused by heinous crimes against women. My intention here is to highlight some of the roots of this aggressive criminal behaviour so that as a society we can begin to take on the collective task of reprogramming our brains, our hearts, our minds, our consciousness, to be more positive, nurturing, supportive, self-respecting and respectful of others.
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Some of the underlying causes of gender-based violence historically:

• Objectifying of women
• Deeply rooted belief in male supremacy
• Discriminatory laws and policies
• Enslavement of women
• Devaluing of women and women's work
• Discrimination against women in regard to equality and power
• Victimization of women
• Stigmatization and isolation of women
• Denial of access to education,
• Denial of access to legal assistance
• Denial of access to justice and legal protection
• Harmful and unjust gender stereotypes

Here today in the twenty-first century we are still struggling to abolish these injustices and inequalities.

Here are some steps we can take to begin reprogramming our thinking and behaviour:

• We need to dismiss harmful gender stereotypes 
• We need to instill nurturing and respectful attitudes to all human beings, whatever gender they may be.
• We need to teach in schools from a very young age respect and caring for one another instead of competition, conflict and jealousy.
• We need to educate our children to develop positive social skills such as assertive communication, conflict resolution, and anger management.
• We need to give our children permission to feel their feelings and express their feelings in a constructive manner. Yes, it is possible to express anger in a constructive manner.
• We need to listen to our children, respect their opinions and beliefs, validate their feelings and support and guide them in developing a positive self-concept and positive self-esteem no matter what their intellectual ability.

Our churches, our temples, our mosques and other religious institutions, along with our workplaces need to uphold gender equality and gender respect. Our government at all levels needs to implement policies and laws that truly represents freedom and justice for all.

I am very much aware that what I am stating here is not new, is not laying out any brilliant solution to the despair, disgust and pain that we have all felt collectively. It has all been said before. It needs to be said again and again and again.
It needs to be discussed in homes, in schools, in religious institutions, in places of work, in all levels of government.

Everyone with a voice needs to speak out loudly and persistently, and everyone with a heart needs to speak inwards, softly, clearly and strongly.

Violence against women is violence against humanity. This violence, assault, abuse, is not acceptable, is not okay, is not to be taken as a normal response to any situation.

Change needs to happen and it needs to happen now: change of attitudes, change of values, change of behaviours, change of interpersonal communication.

And change begins within each one of us. Let us begin now.
Men and Women against Gender-Based Violence
                                                                                             
Anyone wishing to discuss any of the above in more detail please call 1-868-714 5551
or email [email protected]
 
                                       Lystra Mahabir-Mongroo, BA, BSW, MSW, EMDR ll, C.Hyp.
                                                                                                                                        

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