ECADE commends new Domestic Violence Bill on International Women’s Day

The Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE), celebrates all women in recognition of International Women’s Day 2022.  We further commend actions by governments across the eastern Caribbean to advance “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”, as urged by the 2022 International Womens Day theme.

ECADE notes in particular the launch on International Women’s Day, of Saint Lucia’s expanded Domestic Violence Bill as a beacon for the region. This Bill is a credit to the continuous advocacy of civil society organisations, as much as it is that of a progressive government. Of note is ECADE member organisation, Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia, a tireless advocate for women and children at risk. 

In commending the government of Saint Lucia, ECADE’s Executive Director Kenita Placide says, “All citizens, inclusive of women and girls, deserve the full recognition and protection of the law. In expanding the scope of domestic violence, this bill satisfies a number of commitments made by different administrations over the decades and covers a variety of relationships.”

Domestic and gender-based violence is a major stumbling block for women’s empowerment and advancement and by extension the progress of the entire community. 

We therefore welcome the recognition by Virginia Albert-Poyotte, Saint Lucia’s Minister for the Public Service, Home Affairs, Labour and Gender Affairs, that passing this new domestic violence legislation is urgent for the protection of all persons, and further that it “does not discriminate against any person based on their sex, marital status or type of domestic relationships. It therefore increases the type and groups of persons that can be protected.” 

As noted by UN Women, gender-based violence affects a cross-section of women. It is not confined to specific groups of women in society and must be placed within the larger context of gender-inequality. 

The passing of the new Domestic Violence Bill brings Saint Lucia, and the Caribbean, one step closer to realising a zero tolerance policy for violence on the basis of gender identity and expression, sex characteristics or sexual orientation. It also expands the basis on which protection can be extended to all women in various private and public spaces.

 “Every year International Women’s Day gives me hope”, says Director of Communications for ECADE, Maria Fontenelle. “As we seek to ‘break the bias’, I hope that we as a human family will one day recognise each other for our inherent humanity, will celebrate individuality, appreciate each others innate talents and help develop each other’s skills, solely on the basis of who we are, without seeking to control, direct and police us in the basis of gender, sexuality, race or any other artificial construct,” she adds.