Message for 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence |25 November 2019

Minister Larue

‘Violence against women is not inevitable; it is preventable’

“To end violence against women, we need to challenge the attitudes that rationalise, normalise and perpetrate that violence, and deny women’s right to safety.”

The Minister for Family Affairs, Mitcy Larue, says this in her message to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence which starts today.

The full text of Minister Larue’s message reads:

“November 25 to December 10 marks the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. During the 16 Days of Activism, people around the world will unite to raise awareness about gender-based violence, challenge discriminatory attitudes and call for improved laws and services to end violence against women, for good.

“The theme for this year is, ‘Orange the Seychelles: Generation Equality Stands against Rape!’

“While the names, times and contexts may differ, women and girls universally experience rape, sexual violence, and abuse, in times of peace or war. This theme encourages people to speak out against sexism, sexual harassment and disrespect towards women. It calls for action against one of the world’s most persistent violations of human rights – sexual violence against women.

“Rape is rooted in a complex set of patriarchal beliefs, power, and control that continue to create a social environment in which sexual violence is pervasive and normalised. Exact numbers of rape and sexual assaults are notoriously difficult to confirm due to frequent leeway and impunity for perpetrators, stigma towards survivors, and their subsequent silence.

“In recent years, the voices of survivors and activists, through campaigns have put the spotlight on the issue of sexual violence and have reached a stage that cannot be silenced or ignored anymore.That is why, we are calling on people from all walks of life to learn more and take a stand against the pervasive rape culture that surrounds us.

“Violence against women continues to occur at an alarming scale around the world and Seychelles is not an exception. It is evident that the extreme gender inequality and discriminatory laws or customs are not the case in our society. However, recent statistics and study on gender related violence indicate some cases of physical violence, sexual violence and domestic violence, transactional sex, sexual exploitation and abuse still persist in our small island state. It is to be noted that in 2018 alone, there were 129 cases of sexual assault, among which 85% of sexual assault victims are minors below 16 years. This sad and appalling situation cannot be compromised.

“Speaking out against women’s rights abuses is something that my ministry and other women’s rights organisations, do every Orange day. Recently, the cabinet of ministers approved the Domestic Violence (DV) legislation and it has been gazetted ready for its final journey through the National Assembly; another milestone to improve laws and services to respond to and prevent violence against women,while working with communities to change discriminatory attitudes and behaviour.

“Nonetheless, violence against women is a global problem and it requires global action. As the Ministry of Family Affairs whose portfolio is about the wellbeing of all families in Seychelles, we are aware of the importance of community-based interventions through campaigns, programmes or activities aimed at promoting gender equality. Action similar to the ‘16 days of Activism’ is therefore crucial because it shines a spotlight on the issue of violence against women. It creates a platform for public awareness about what needs to change to prevent it from happening – at local, national, regional and international levels.

“To end violence against women, we need to challenge the attitudes that rationalise, normalise and perpetrate that violence, and deny women’s right to safety. Men are overwhelmingly the perpetrators of gender-based violence. To see violence truly eliminated, the attitudes of both men and women need to change. Shifting these behaviour is hard and slow, but with all of us working with all genders true change will happen.

“Together we must call on governments, organisations and people everywhere to speak out against violence in all its forms. Violence against women is not inevitable; it is preventable. Tell your families, schools, communities, and workplaces. Together, our message will be amplified, and our voices heard.

DON'T BE A VICTIM; BREAK THE SILENCE! BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE!”