3 months ago
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Today is day three since a Belizean mother of three children was murdered and police have still not made any arrest. Delcea Flowers was found unconscious lying in a pool of blood on her sofa with a large cut to the back of the neck. Her 14-year-old daughter was also beaten as she had injuries to her head and body. Both were rushed to the KHMH where Flowers later died. Today on the LOVE Morning Show, Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dolores Balderamos Garcia said that gender-based violence is not for government alone to tackle but rather it’s the responsibility of all of society.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Sr.Minister of State: On Gender Based Violence: “We have had many, many reports of domestic violence. I believe it’s over a thousand that recently, just recently, reports of some form of domestic or gender violence. So we know that it’s very high and it is appearing to be either one in three or two in five. So you’re looking at anywhere between 30 to 40 percent of women throughout the lifespan will be a victim at some form of domestic violence or domination. Again it goes back to what we’re teaching, what we are preparing to tolerate and what we are going to be able to say no we’re not gonna tolerate this.”
Balderamos Garcia impressed upon the Belizean society to invest in the early socialization of their children.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Sr.Minister of State: On Gender Based Violence: “In the home, let us signal that girls and boys must be treated equally. We must be given that equal right, that equal level of responsibility, and knowing that that is where it starts.”
An important part of the continuum of care for victims and survivors of GBV is to offer wrap-around services in a one-stop shop. However, these services must be countrywide if women are to be properly served.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Sr.Minister of State: On Gender Based Violence: “We had a conversation about perhaps having a one-stop center in the south because I think in the north and Cayo and the Belize City area there are shelters for battered women but that’s only one aspect of it. This goes beyond the shelter. But we were, we had in conversation to try to have at least a shelter aspect in the south. But now we need to make it more comprehensive. And I believe, again I can’t make a definitive commitment, but now that we have the focus on the crisis of femicide and domestic violence, I think we’re going to be having the political will to make this happen. So clearly, tell me what your suggestions are. I will put it forward and certainly play my part in advocating.”
Balderamos Garcia invites members of the public to submit their recommendations on ways to effectively tackle GBV to be included in a paper to the Cabinet.
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