Letter on violence against women and children

Dear Editor,

A lot has been happening this year since this government came into power to address violence against women and children, in parliament and in the administration and in the community. We have seen the growth of various pressure groups in the country to support the cause of the abused in this country. Bills have been submitted to parliament to address the abuse against children and the violence that we see in our streets. The new hotline for children introduced by this government is a huge step forwards as the dynamics of being in small tight communities that we live militate against the protection and trust of those who seek support.

Where things are not moving is the judiciary and therein lies the heart of the problem. Perhaps the judges lack education and appropriate training. Perhaps they are indifferent to the plight of our women and children who come to them seeking justice. Perhaps the judgements they have been making against our children and women in courts are grounded in their personal belief systems.

What we know is that the current systems in place for women to seek divorce and for women and children to seek protection from domestic violence and to seek justice for the trauma of violation and violence is inadequate and needs attention urgently.

We walk on egg shells around this topic just as we do in our abusive relationships. I believe it’s time now to start a national debate on this matter. Look with truth and courage at the structures, systems, customs, beliefs and practices that dishonour women and our children in our society.

We need to qualify and quantify the spiritual, financial, emotional and social cost to those who have suffered violence and been violated in our families and in our communities. We need to set up witness protection systems, safety nets, safe houses and ensure investigations into these matters are conducted with integrity and a high degree of safety. As we need legislature that protects women and children from domestic violence.

I believe we have come to a critical stage in our new democracy where we are not just being challenged by the forces that oppressed us for thirty long years but also by forces that seek to oppress our women and children and impose on us cultural norms alien to our society in the name of Islam.

We must raise our voices collectively and close ranks against these forces if we are to assure our daughters of a future which honours women and children in the modern Islamic state that we aspire the Maldives to be.

Regards,

Shafeea

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