NASSAU, The Bahamas – Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie Campbell, told delegates attending a one-day gender-based intervention and prevention workshop that they must help to create an environment of non-violence while adopting a 'zero tolerance’ approach to violence.

Addressing the Gender-Based Violence Intervention, Prevention and Social Development Capacity-Building Workshop for internal staff of the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development that was hosted by the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Minister Campbell applauded staff of the Department of Gender and Family Affairs for taking an integrated approach to the workshop.

Minister Campbell said an integrated approach takes into consideration the needs and safety of victims of gender-based violence, addressing the root cause of violence, and finding ways to decrease the number of perpetrators of gender-based violence.

Facilitated by officials of the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Ministry of Social Services and Urban development, the workshop was attended by staff of the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, the Department of Rehabilitative and Welfare Services, and the Urban Renewal Commission.

“While it is very, very important that we continue to focus on the victims of gender-based violence -- the cycle of violence will only continue if we do not have this integrated approach to ending gender-based violence -- where we focus on the victims, and also find ways to decrease the number of perpetrators,” Minister Campbell said. “The only way that is going to happen is for us to start at the root: for us to address the root cause of violence.

“As we discuss this whole question of violence, and we are saying gender-based violence for this particular setting, the truth is we must adopt and promote a zero tolerance for all violence.
 

"Saying ‘no’ to violence should not just mean saying no to hitting, but also that we be mindful of how we speak violence; how we speak violently.
 

"It is my firm belief that if we speak peace to each other; that if we speak to each other with a greater degree of affection, it will engender the kind of environment where violence is not even a question.

“And so as we gather for such an important and deliberate capacity-building, gender-based violence intervention workshop, it is incumbent that you open your hearts to share best practices, protocols and policies that will lead to an integrated approach to the victim’s safety, and rehabilitation for perpetrators,” Minister Campbell added.

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Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell addressing a grouping of delegates attending a one-day Gender-Based Violence Intervention, Prevention and Social Development Capacity-Building Workshop for internal staff held at the Ministry’s headquarters John F. Kennedy Drive and Bethel Avenue Tuesday (February 19). The workshop was hosted by the Department of Gender and Family Affairs. Mrs. Elaine Sands and Mr. Henry Johnson of the Department of Gender and Family Affairs were the facilitators. (BIS Photo/Matt Maura)

Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell (centre) attended a one-day Gender-Based Violence Intervention, Prevention and Social Development Capacity-Building Workshop for internal staff Tuesday (February 19) at the Ministry’s headquarters located at Aventura Plaza, John F. Kennedy Drive and Bethel Avenue. Pictured (from left) are: Ms. Sheryl Knowles, Programmes and Projects Coordinator, Urban Renewal Commission; Mrs. Llian Quant-Forbes, Director, Department of Social Services; Dr. Jacinta Higgs, Director, Department of Gender and Family Affairs; Ms. Sherrylee Smith, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development; Minister Campbell; Mr. Henry Johnson, Facilitator, Department of Gender and Family Affairs; Mr. Kellen Russell, Acting Director, Urban Renewal Commission; Mrs. Elaine Sands, Facilitator, Department of Gender and Family Affairs and Miss Simone Bridgewater, Coordinator, Department of Gender and Family Affairs. (BIS Photo/Matt Maura)