The Department of Social Development and Gender Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Home Affairs has embarked on a campaign to bring awareness to violence against women and the Convention for the Elimination of all Forms of Violence against Women (CEDAW) in the Turks and Caicos. The Department is being supported in its efforts by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) sub-regional Headquarters for the Caribbean and the Human Rights Commissioner.
CDAW was extended to the Turks and Caicos Islands in 1998, which obliges the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) to guarantee the protection of the rights of women against violence through policies, plans of action and intervention programs. The Gender Affairs Unit of the Department of Social Development is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring the goals and objectives of CEDAW are implemented and adhered to within the Turks and Caicos Islands.
CEDAW, globally known as the Women’s Convention outlines the obligations of each country to recognise that women are to be protected against violence and other human rights violations. The Gender Affairs Unit has recognised this right and is working to has guarantee and provide avenues for action and redress when that right is violated.
The National CEDAW workshops seek to fulfill the following aims and objectives:
· Continued awareness of CEDAW in TCI Communities
· Sensitise persons who have never heard of CEDAW
· Strengthen institutional capabilities with its implementation and reporting process.
· Engage Ministry/department/NGOs in the national reporting process.
· Sensitise the TCI citizens of CEDAW according to international and regional recommendations and best practices.
Advance the rights of women, regardless of culture, political status, age or educational level
Sensitise vulnerable women to their rights and protections. This includes those who may be distant from development resources or women otherwise trapped in poverty and social marginalisation
The two workshops, each of one day duration, are scheduled to be held on Decembers 4th and 5th 2013, in Grand Turk, at the Anglican Church Dillon Hall and in Providenciales, Social Services Conference room commencing at 9:00am respectfully. The facilitators for the workshops are Ms. Doreen Quelch Stubbs, Human Rights Commissioner and Ms. Sheila Stuart, Social Affairs Officer, ECLAC.
