Last Updated on October 13, 2022, 2:39 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The Government of St Kitts and Nevis is making efforts to regulate and strengthen its response to gender-based violence. The government seeks to follow a multi-pronged approach to tackle system and cultural reforms.
The Junior Minister and Minister responsible for Social Development and Gender Affairs, Isalean Phillip, is attending the 83rd Session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The meetings are held from October 10-20 in Geneva, Switzerland. During her address, the Junior Minister shared some of the reforms initiated by the government of St Kitts and Nevis.
She informed the assembled guests at the session that the government is making efforts to improve. For that, the Department of Gender Affairs has taken it upon itself to build stronger relationships with the RSCNPF Special Victim’s Unit (SVU).
The department will support the Special Victims Unit’s efforts to increase capacity by recruiting and training more officers in gender-sensitive response and investigation practices.
Additionally, the Minister responsible for Gender Affairs in the government of St Kitts and Nevis stated that Gender Affairs plans to build its staff capacity to provide the expertise and curriculum that will help provide consistent and sustainable gender-sensitive training to all police officers. This training will be imparted as part of mandatory training programmes.
According to Minister Phillip, St Kitts and Nevis’ Constitution and legislative framework prohibit discrimination in any shape and form based on sex. She also stated that there are no laws legalizing discriminatory practices towards women.
According to her, domestic abuse incidents need to be reported to Local law enforcement authorities so that the government can tackle the issue and bring down the intensity of the incidents.
Minister Isalean Phillip stated that the National Gender Policy and Action Plan implemented by the government of St Kitts and Nevis covers various protections and agency responsibilities.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
