Ministry of Social Services launches first GBV Prevention Family Island Coordination Council in Abaco

By LEDEDRA MARCHE
Bahamas Information Services

#ABACO, The Bahamas, April 3, 2023 – The Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, Department of Gender and Family Affairs launched its pilot Gender-Based Violence Prevention Family Island Coordination Council in Dundas Town, Abaco, on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

The launch was staged at the Friendship Tabernacle Church in line with the 50th Anniversary of Independence celebration of The Bahamas under the theme, “Family Islands U.N.I.T.E. for a Safer Bahamas.”

The mission of the council is to develop effective and comprehensive systems, programmes and services for the management and elimination of gender-based violence in The Bahamas.

Chairperson of the Gender-Based Violence Task Force, Retired Justice Rubie Nottage, who was on hand for the official pilot launch, Thursday, said gender-based violence is a topic that has wrapped her heart for years and she commended the 10 new council members making up the first of the Family Island councils for their willingness to serve.

She noted that The Department of Gender and Family Affairs was more recently created in the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development and pointed out that violence not only occurs to women in our society, but men and children.

“I am delighted today that I am able to stand and hear the first action being taken in the Family Islands, principally stirred on by Mrs. (Elaine) Sands, in Abaco for what I call a pilot project on gender-based values. I congratulate you. I am so proud to be here to see the fruits at this time,” she said.

Ret. Justice Nottage said the implementation of the strategies proposed is yet to come but it will arise with people like the council members at the forefront showing how it can be done.

Permanent Secretary Joel Lewis, who spoke on behalf the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, revealed that the Family Island coordination initiative is not a one-off and is intended to touch the entire Bahamas as government seeks to induce an effective action plan to prevent violence and abuse in our country.

“We must work towards transforming attitudes and behaviours and create safe spaces for our survivors of abuse to report incidents, to access life-saving support as rapidly as possible,” he said.

In giving the charge to the council members, he said, “You are the support system for your communities; you are to liaise with schools, faith-based organizations, law enforcement agencies, health services, the Crisis Centre that’s now here and other government and non-government organizations.”

Member of Parliament for North Abaco, Kirk Cornish and other dignitaries were also in attendance for the historic occasion.

PHOTO CAPTIONS

Header: Member of the newly-formed council, Assistant Superintendent of Police Geniece Barr addressed the gathering during the Gender-Based Violence Prevention Coordination Council launch ceremony in Dundas Town, Abaco on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

Insert: Chairperson of the Gender-Based Violence Task Force, Retired Justice Rubie Nottage, while in Abaco for the launch ceremony, commended the 10 new council members in Abaco making up the first of what is intended to be a number of Family Island Gender-Based Violence Prevention Coordination Councils for their willingness to serve.