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Designated Minister Vincent Meriton’s message on the occasion of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence |25 November 2015

‘Gender-based violence has no place in our homes or anywhere in society’

“Gender-based violence (GBV) has no place in our homes or anywhere in society,” Designated Minister Vincent Meriton has said in his message on the occasion of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence from November 25 to December 10.

This year’s theme is ‘From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Make Education Safe for all’.

Minister Meriton’s message reads:

“It is with great hope that Seychelles joins the rest of the world in commemorating the 24th anniversary of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based violence (GBV) campaign. This is a time to show international solidarity and galvanise action to end violence, especially against women and girls.

“Here in Seychelles, much progress has been made in the empowerment of girls and women in reducing gender-based violence. We are also fortunate in that we have a peaceful and stable society where the calamities of wars do not exist. The same however, cannot be said of our domestic domains, where gender-based violence still remains a major impediment in our development.

“These 16 days remind us that GBV has no place in our homes or anywhere in society. It focuses attention on the fact that on average almost 85% of reported cases concerning domestic violence are against women perpetuated by men. This terrible statistic remains a blight on our proud record as a peace loving nation; it is an affront to the dignity and human rights of so many Seychellois women and a source of so much pain and suffering in many families. This shameful practice has to stop.

“This year’s theme focuses on the links that exist between peace in our homes, peace in the world and the value of education. Without peace, we cannot achieve anything. Peace is the precursor to the greatest human achievements. It allows us to realise our potential, to come together despite our differences and realise that we are stronger than the sum of our parts. Peace allows individuals to flourish, it allows our families to thrive and prosper and it guarantees a safe and secure future for our children. “On this year’s 16 Days commemoration, I call on everyone to appreciate the fact that we have a solid foundation on which to build. Let us be thankful that we live in a beautiful and peaceful country. Let us take encouragement from the commitment of government to put an end to GBV in all its forms. And let us value the 11 years of compulsory education that every Seychellois child is guaranteed under our constitution.

“We should be mindful that education remains a fundamental element in our quest to end GBV. Education is not just about learning to read, write and count. Its primary function is to teach us how to live together, how to respect each other and contribute to the betterment of our families and society. Everyone can be an educator, not just teachers. The greatest educators indeed are parents.

 That is why it is important that our homes are happy and safe places. For every home is itself a school, where children live and learn from what they see and experience around them. We cannot expect our children to reach their full academic potential if they are not at peace in their own homes. We cannot expect our schools to be at peace when students in turn transfer the effects of their traumas in the classrooms and playgrounds. We have to break these cycles if we want to put an end to GBV. It is vital therefore that we all work in unison to ensure that both our homes and schools are safe. We should send a strong message, that violence, whatever its form, should never be tolerated in our homes and schools.

“On this day therefore, I call on each and every one of us to renew our commitment in our goal for a society that is free from violence. GBV is something we can do without. It has no purpose or relevance in our lives. We should work to elevate human dignity not drag it down.

“I would like to wish all Seychellois and their families peace and sincerely hope that this peace from within radiates outward to bring about a more peaceful society.”

 

 

 

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