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Marching Against Gender Violence
posted (November 26, 2010)
Gender-based violence is taking center stage for the next two weeks as the Women's Department ramps up its advocacy and public awareness.

But unlike the street violence that often happens in broad daylight - gender violence is often ignored because it happens behind closed doors.

But they say sunlight is the best detergent and the Women's Department is intent on bringing this problem into the light - that started today with the march against gender based violence:

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence campaign opened with the symbolic passing of the torch to a survivor of Gender-based violence, the torch represents hope and it is lit to remember those who have suffered gender-based violence - acts often hidden by a silence that needs to be broken:

Erika Goldson, Assistant Representative - United Nations Population Fund
"Rape, Sexual Assault and sexual abuse are left feeling vulnerable, angry, betrayed, frightened, violated, dirty, embarrass and powerless, yet there is this tendency to think that sexual violence needs to be particular when it is done by people we know. A large percent of survivors are haunted by feeling of guilt, self blame and shame mostly due to the fact that in our society the common response to rape and sexual abuse is still embarrassment. Sadly, despite the alarming increase in sexual violence, rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse are still considered unspeakable crimes. Something people prefer not to acknowledge, this unspoken statement suggest that rape and sexual abuse victim should not speak about their experiences and fear others from an unpleasant issue which as a result contribute enormously in increase in their isolation and pain, however it is up to us to change this, it is up to us to make it a spoken statement."

And today, one such woman, a survivor of Sexual violence gave her testimonial to give other women hope and to help break the cycle of violence against women:

Ifasina Efuneymi, Sexual Violence Survivor
"Today I am standing before you as a survivor of sexual violence and why is it that I am here to tell my story. I am here to tell my story so that those women who are voiceless will find a voice to start to speak up about their experiences so that it's not held inside of you and fester like a soar. I went to court for 2 years before that matter was resolve; he went through 3 lawyers including the current Prime Minister before that case was resolve and had to just pay a fine for it. I didn't get any counseling, I didn't know about the women's department at that time. The support that I had was my family, my mother, my siblings, friends who were supportive, this is healing for me, this is not about pointing fingers or laying blame. This is about changing the circumstances. I am not a victim, I am a survivor."

And it is in this light, that the Women's Department continues to hold its annual March against Gender-Based Violence,. An event aimed at creating awareness, and today was well attended by schools, youth groups and other organizations, giving support and sending messages against the violence:

Participant
"I am out here because I just want the violence against women to stop."

Andrea Polanco
"So what advice you would like to send to those women who are currently experiencing gender base violence?"

Participant
"Well just want to say that you are much more valuable than to be accepting a man just beating you and stuff. You are worth much more than that and you need to leave him."

Participant
"Well I come out because I am a part of the family violence unit of the Belize Police Department so I came here to support the women against violence."

Participant
"I support women's right."

Participant
"Tell the people to stop the violence and the crime."

Deacon Barbara Rosado
"It is more than likely that people will feel ashamed because a lot of the times they feel that violence against them is their fault. What people need to realize is that they have a voice and the more they speak out the better it is for their selves to e heal and also for them to be encouragement to other people. Silence only allows you to internalize your pain as oppose to releasing it. I would encourage women out there that if you are abuse and in situations where you were face with violence, come a put and find someone to talk to, find someone in your church, find someone in the social department. Silence is not the answer, speaking out is going to help us."

Participant
"Well basically the University of Belize have our basketball team and some of our football guys supporting the female, to show them support and so we are just in this walk, enjoying this sun a little."

Participant
"Well I would encourage them to just gain the strength and speak out because they will not be the first or the last person that it will happen to and the only way it will slow down if it the women step up and talk what is happening to them, so that the men can get deal with. I think that is the best advice I would give to them."

Participant
"Stand up and like take it to someone that can help you and don't just sit there and leave it to happen."

Participant
"The best way to deal with the problem if you have a problem; you go your way and she goes her way, that way they won't be no problem and no misunderstanding. Do it the proper way, you would like someone to knock your child so don't knock nobody one."

Ifasina Efuneymi, Sexual Violence Survivor
"Silence is not healthy, silence is deadly, silence is the reason why perpetrators continue to commit the kinds of violations they commit because they are not held accountable, and they are not held responsible. It's time for us to hold them responsible by exposing them, by taking a stand by saying something about it, that's a part of the healing and that's a part of solving the problem."

The 16 Days of Activism which will run through to December 10 - and you'll be seeing quite a bit of it on the news….

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