-youth workshop hears
The lack of proper socialization, the glamourised image of alcohol and music lyrics have been identified as contributing factors to domestic violence and areas which must be urgently addressed in order to curb the problem.
The factors were spoken of at the launch of a three-day workshop at the Carifesta Sports Complex which focuses on sensitising twenty community youths on gender-based violence and enabling them to spread the message using edutainment.
Kevin Massiah of Help and Shelter, the workshop facilitator, said that the workshop aims to provide youths with knowledge about gender and violence. It is hoped that the participants would be able to garner a deeper understanding of gender roles and their effect on the society. Massiah said that certain myths about gender roles and responsibilities had to be addressed if society was going to be successful in its fight against domestic violence. He said that socialization of boys and girls was the first target area since they are taught from a young age what society expects from them and this may not necessarily be the correct image.
“Boys are taught to be macho and tough while girls are taught to be gentle and caring,” he said. He added that this perception of roles is usually carried into adulthood where it may cause conflict in the status of men and women. He opined that boys should be allowed to express their feelings and there needed to be a change in socialization patterns.
The problem of alcohol and its effects on gender violence perpetuated against girls and women was noted by Massiah as being of the utmost importance. He added that music which encourages the imbibing of alcohol is part of the problem since it encourages alcohol use.
“The lyrics of music continue to be a problem,” said Massiah. He feels that the authorities need to deal with the problem of music since it easily affects youths. He said that certain genres of music should not be played or at least measures be put in place to control it, since it directly influences youths.
The lyrics of certain songs are misleading, he said, since it gives an incorrect perception of how to treat women. He singled out dancehall and chutney lyrics which he said should be monitored.
Massiah added that the problem of violence has to be addressed through education and it was important for society to understand that persons should not be limited by perception. Further, in dealing with the problem, he said that partnerships were necessary to effect change.
The training forum in which youths from Regions Four, Six and Ten are participating is geared towards reducing gender-based violence (GBV) in communities, especially violence towards women and girls. The youths were drawn from various youth groups and organisations from the regions.
The workshop is a collaboration among the Ministry of Human Services, Ministry of Culture and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and is part of the project “Strengthening State Accountability and Community Action for ending Gender-based Violence in the Caribbean”.
It is expected that after the youths would have gained a better understanding of the issue, they would be able to use it to convey messages using various entertainment forms such as skits. After their training, with guidance from the Ministry of Human Services, they will hold four one-day workshops in their communities to educate their peers as a means of reducing the problem there.