Prime Minister Philip Davis speaking in the House of Assembly.
NASSAU, The Bahamas--Despite opposition from women’s rights groups to government’s decision to proceed with the Protection Against Violence Bill, Prime Minister (PM) Philip Davis, while in the House of Assembly on Thursday, led debate on the bill noting that it is more “inclusive” than the Gender-Based Violence Bill initially proposed.
In a statement late Wednesday night, Women United, Bahamas Urban Youth Development Center (BUYDC), Women of Strength Association, Everyone Counts Organization, Marion Bethel-Sears (on behalf of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women – CEDAW) and Therese Turner-Jones, wrote, “The House of Assembly is set to begin debate on the Protection Against Violence Bill, 2023 on Thursday, July 27, 2023. This bill is not the bill that women’s rights groups worked on for more than a decade. The bill we worked on and consented to was the Gender-Based Violence Bill.
“The bill was replaced at the last minute with the Protection Against Violence Bill. The new bill does not contain key provisions that would further help protect women and girls from violence. These provisions were in the Gender-Based Violence Bill. We call on government to suspend debate on this bill and to present to Parliament the Gender-Based Violence Bill that so many Bahamian women worked hard on over many years.”
However, Davis called the statement “disturbing” and questioned why the groups decided to oppose the bill right as it was scheduled to be debated.
“A disturbing intervention was made to me this morning where there were six women’s groups who have indicated their opposition to this bill,” Davis said.
“And it seems to be rooted in the fact from all accounts on nomenclature because it was mooted, and discussions were held on a bill to be called Gender-Based Violence Bill and we’re now debating a bill that is called Protection Against Violence Bill.
“Now, the reason why I say it’s disturbing, Deputy Speaker, this bill, before it was laid in the House, on the 24th of May of this year, we’re now in July, going almost in August, and prior to that laying of the bill, wide discussions were held amongst the women’s groups and in the community. After it was laid, a number of town hall meetings were held and it was widely publicised for people to weigh in on it.
“And the distinction between Gender-Based Violence Bill and the Protection Against Violence Bill rests only in nomenclature.”
Davis added that it was always the aim of all stakeholders to adhere to international treaties and obligations, and to provide protection and support for victims of violence, but that he was disturbed after receiving the statement by the women’s groups after what he understood were many consultations held to discuss the bill.
“And I’m advised that a number of females on our side in Parliament, here, the member for Englerston, member for Golden Gates Dame Anita Allen, they all were a part of the exercise.
“And from May, first of all, prior to May, there were discussions being held. After the bill was settled, and the name changed, and the broadening to make sure that the bill was inclusive was at the instance, I’m advised by the drafters and the head of the Bahamas Crisis Centre, to ensure that it included children and by the gender desk at the Ministry of Social Services to ensure that it includes men as well, so it became more inclusive.
“And I can say that the lawyers and drafters advised me, and I’d like to advise everyone that this bill does in fact satisfy our obligations under international treaties, including the treaty of CEDAW. That’s what they told me. And so, it may not be perfect, but at the very least, if you had concerns, why wait on the day or the eve of our debating the bill to raise those concerns?
“I mean, that is troubling. When the bill was here in Parliament, and if it is the kind of interest that is now being expressed was there, I would have expected to have heard from the group before now.”
While Davis was explaining his point, Opposition Leader Michael Pintard rose on a point of order, stating that concerns were raised previously about the bill, including by Free National Movement Senator Michaela Barnett-Ellis, who said last month the Protection Against Violence Bill is less comprehensive than the previously drafted bill.
But Leader of Government Business in the House Obie Wilchcombe, the social services minister, read out a list of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to whom he e-mailed a letter on June 5, 2023, stating that the Protection Against Violence Bill was going to be debated in Parliament in July and that any “views, thoughts and recommendations” for the completion of the bill were welcomed.
He said, “We heard from one group. I spoke off the record and on the record to some others, but one group wrote in, Mr. Deputy. So, yes, consultation was sought, Mr. Deputy, from a wide range of people, and no one voiced objection at the time.”
The Protection Against Violence Bill (2023) allows for the establishment of the Protection Against Violence Commission, which will work with the responsible minister to ensure that victims are treated with compassion and dignity and have access to justice without unnecessary delays and impediments.
“The work of the commission will inform policies, promote awareness of human rights, allocate resources for specialised services, promote education and sensitivity training, and promote programmes and policies that are gender-sensitive, equitable and lead toward greater gender equality and improved gender relations,” the PM said.
He continued, “The proposed law is comprehensive and multi-sectoral, coordinating efforts and resources to promote education, improve standards and protocols for police investigations, review and reform all laws related to sexual and domestic violence and assess the effectiveness of measures to prevent and eradicate violence.”
Davis noted that the bill will address the need for healthcare and other support to be given in safe, private and comfortable environments, a practice which he said should be the “default approach” by professionals, naturally, as “survivors of violence deserve dignity and respect”.
He added that his administration “will establish a reliable and culturally relevant framework for all stakeholders to provide evidence-based interventions supported by the machinery of government”, noting that the bill “breaks ground by responding to the nuanced, often overlooked realities of victims”.
“It takes into account how a general culture of violence, inclusive of gender-based violence, permeates society and directly responds to this issue by establishing standards, protecting rights, providing support, and supporting the work of the network of community organisations that save lives each and every day.”
Davis added that the bill is about “far more than just enacting or implementing a law”.
He pledge that his government will instead “produce the kind of cultural and systemic change that truly makes a difference”.
Members of Parliament passed the bill on Thursday night before adjourning to August 16. ~ The Nassau Guardian ~
