On the eve of International Women’s Day, March 8, Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte, Minister for Gender Affairs and Labour, is making a forceful call for greater gender equality in society and greater respect for women’s roles.
She underlines that men should have more regard for women, who act as society’s “womb” in their roles as mothers, daughters, aunts, nieces, and other significant female figures.
Dr. Poyotte also emphasises the need for faster resolution of long-standing cases of gender-based violence.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Accelerate Action” However, on the local front, it’s “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment,” and will include numerous celebrations, including the creation of a documentary highlighting the country’s progress towards gender equality.
In recent years, the government has enacted laws and regulations to protect women, young girls, and men from domestic abuse. This includes the Domestic Violence Bill and collaboration on the French government-funded Gender Violence campaign.
Minister Albert-Poyotte stated, “Saint Lucia has made significant progress in advancing gender equality, but there is still much work to be done. The upcoming documentary will showcase our achievements in elevating women’s roles in the workplace, skill development, education, and health. Women are asserting their rightful places in society, and we will continue to push for equality.”
Despite these efforts, there is an apparent need for the timely settlement of long-standing cases. Minister Albert-Poyotte underlined that the recent passing of the Domestic Violence Bill provides law enforcement officials with the tools they need to handle these instances more effectively.
“I am acutely aware that many cases remain unresolved, and this issue impacts various branches of government, including ministers, parliament, and the judiciary,” Minister Albert-Poyotte said at a media briefing on Monday.
She went on to say, “When a case is reported to the police and moves to the legal system, the government cannot dictate actions to lawyers. We are not part of the investigations, and the sad reality is that many cases are not progressing as they should.”
The Minister emphasised the government’s limited influence over magistrates, judges, and lawyers in their jurisdictions, saying, “I empathise deeply with families who have lost loved ones and are still waiting for justice. It’s unacceptable that the wheels of justice are turning so slowly.”
She emphasised the need for more action, which may include more legislation to speed processes. “I recognise some cases remain unresolved, and we must take steps to expedite their progress,” said the minister.
Regarding the Domestic Violence Bill, the Minister stated that police personnel are now better prepared to undertake thorough investigations.
“The legislation clarifies for law enforcement how to document information and evidence effectively, ensuring that when submitted to lawyers or magistrates, there is enough detail for proper assessment and decision-making,” she said.
Minister Albert-Poyotte noted, “often cases stall due to insufficient reporting. While police may have adequate information, weak investigations hinder lawyers and judges from taking action, resulting in a lack of convictions or sentencing.”
Dr. Albert-Poyotte highlighted the worldwide journey towards gender parity, recalling the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, which was adopted during the 4th World Conference for Women in 1995. She proudly mentioned her attendance at that historic summit, which lay the framework for advancing equality between men and women globally.