The Department of Gender and Family Affairs held a forum on gender based violence at the conclusion of the sixteen days of activism.
Various speakers from non-government organizations committed themselves to continuing efforts to end violence against women and girls.
Marissa Mason Smith of the Zonta Club of Nassau recounted, “a young boy in grade five showed us a scar on his leg. I said what is that, he said my girlfriend in grade three scorch him with a bottle or something because he doesn’t want to be with her anymore. These are primary school children.”
Also on hand was Mrs. Ann Davis, Wife of the Prime Minister who told those in attendance, “we must agitate and hold our policy makers accountable. We want them to upgrade our laws, we really need that. Imagine, we still live in a society where no does not mean no. How can that be? I tell you no and you think I mean yes, no sir, of course I’m talking about marital rape. No means no.”