Dear Editor,
My name is Waynisha Sha’Dea Saunders. I’m 21 years old and I am a youth activist here in The Bahamas. I’m a Pre-Law and Policy major and I have an organization called Gen-Z Arise that’s devoted to encouraging and uplifting Gen Z Bahamians in the country and the Family Islands when it pertains to knowing their rights, job security, mental health awareness and the list goes on. I’m a two-time national youth awardee and youth Parliamentarian, with an extensive portfolio that would suggest that I’m a committed citizen of the Bahamas.
In most recent times here in The Bahamas, there has been an extreme increase in gender-based violence (GBV).
In the past few months, there’s been an increase in crimes against women in The Bahamas. From attempted assault, rape, abuse and even its extremities — murder. As a youth activist here in The Bahamas, I felt deeply that something needed to be done and swiftly. After the deaths of Bella Walker and Heavenly Terveus, I wondered if there were going to be laws and policies put in place to protect women who were in extreme unsafe circumstances. Or would we continue to create hashtags and troll social medias and say that we need justice?
Oftentimes the “onus” is on our government, but I really do believe that combating gender-based violence in The Bahamas starts with the entire community at large realizing that this is a problem. The judicial system has been continuously failing women recently, as men who’ve committed heinous crimes have been let out on bail two weeks later or even sooner whilst victims of assault and even worse are left with scars and little to no resources to recover.
So I questioned, is this misogyny? Misogyny (/mɪˈsɒdʒɪni/) is hatred or contempt for women. It is a form of sexism used to keep women at a lower social status than men, thus maintaining the societal roles of patriarchy. An example of misogyny is violence against women, which includes domestic violence and, in its most extreme forms, misogynist terrorism and femicide. Misogyny also often operates through sexual harassment, coercion and psychological techniques aimed at controlling women.
When numerous crimes are taking place against women, without policies being made to protect us, I see this word — misogyny. The truth is, who justifies murder? Assault? Rape? Abuse? It’s become apparent that gender-based violence has become a national ill in our country and the cure/solution can only come forth socially.
The truth is that though I’m young, it’s my responsibility to hold my leaders responsible, not in contempt but because I believe that we can all come together with the communities to end gender-based violence. If a campaign is launched, it will call for action to increase awareness, galvanize advocacy efforts and share knowledge and innovations. This campaign should be nationwide and should include an essay/speech competition to get youth involved; creating homes for battered women, which comes with witness protection; funding women’s organizations; setting a day when the entire country can wear purple — the color that represents GBV; and creating a female youth council/platform. We can only hope that until justice is served, we do not become victims of these crimes. Because we are all witnesses to these injustices.
Waynisha Sha’Dea
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