The Tribune

Editor, The Tribune.

Please allow me space to express great concern over the rise in domestic and gender-based violence. No form of violence is acceptable and we, as a nation, as a people, should ensure that legislation that speaks to the condemnation of this action is given priority. We must ensure the enforcement of those laws already on the books. We must be the change.

There is just too much acceptance of this and we continue to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the cries of so many women and children. Some religious leaders ignore this cry when approached by victims for help because they do not believe in marital rape. Some of them actually believe that a woman becomes the “property” of her husband upon marriage. A man is given all rights to physically, verbally and mentally abuse a woman because he feels he “owns” her. We must change this trend of thinking and we must stand up for our women.

The alleged physical abuse by a sitting Member of Parliament on his girlfriend over the past weekend is certainly unacceptable and deplorable and I cry shame. We must not condone this type of action from anyone and especially not from persons entrusted with leadership.

Women must stand together and speak up against this. I am a bit disappointed to hear a prominent female say that she cannot speak about marital rape because she is not married. I thought that was a very offensive statement to come from a woman. One does not have to be married to speak to an act of violence against another woman. It is about the vile action and not about a person’s status. Are we to understand that a person cannot speak about rape, abuse or any act of violence if they have not experienced it? Come on, Bahamas, we are doing ourselves an injustice. Let us pick up the Aquamarine, Gold and Black as we continue in our struggle started many years ago by the Suffrage Movement for Equality and Women’s Rights. Let us march together, stand together and speak with one voice, one purpose. Let us stop the cloaking and face this monster head on. We are celebrating 50 years of nationhood, let us be the change. Let us demand the necessary amendments to legislation and to our Constitution so that we as women are able to enjoy the entitlement of equal rights.

The time is now. Let us hold hands. Let us walk together in unity into the future only looking back to see how far we have come. Let us stop the violence... stop the injustices. We must fight for our equity and equality. United we must stand. We must be the support system for our sisters. We can do this.

I am minded about the poem “I got flowers today” and leave it with you.

“We had our first argument last night, and he said a lot of mean cruel things that really hurt me. I know he is sorry and did not mean the things he said because he sent me flowers today. Yes, I got flowers today. It was not our anniversary or any other special day. Last night he threw me into a wall and started to choke me. It seemed like a nightmare. I could not believe it was real. I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over but I know he must be sorry because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today and it was not Mother’s Day or any other special day. – Last night he beat me up again, it was much worse than all the other times. If I leave him, what will I do? Where will I go? How will I take care of my kids? What about money? I am afraid of him and scared to leave, but I know he must be sorry because he sent me flowers today – I got flowers today. Today was a very special day. - It was the day of my funeral. – Last night he finally killed me. He beat me to death. If only I had gathered enough courage and strength to leave him, I would not have gotten flowers.”

Vanessa A. Scott, JP

Nassau

April 12, 2023