Senator Chanona Addresses Spate of Violence Against Women in Belize

At the adjournment of Tuesday’s Senate meeting, NGO Senator Janelle Chanona ended the session on a sombre note. She rose to speak on the numerous incidents of violence against women that have occurred over the last four weeks. Chanona spoke directly to her Senate colleagues, urging them to contemplate the gravity of these events and to deliberate meaningful solutions.

 

Janelle Chanona, NGO Senator

“It is not your daughter who is grasping their cellphones, trebling fingers, trying to send a text to your wife to tell them that your intimate partner has just dealt you a death blow and they are trying to get a message out for you save the baby, your grandchild. It is not your grandchild. It is not your daughter who is in a car being chased by her ex-partner only to end up in a car accident and to have your daughter’s ex-partner come up to the car and tell you, if I can’t have you no one can have you. It is not your daughter or sister who has been killed by her intimate partner only to have him turn the weapon n himself and commit suicide. Details resembling those cases have happened in the last four weeks right here in Belize that is the situation we are facing. Last week I heard mention that there was a woman who was facilitated. The reality is that if we are not providing opportunities for equity and equality and addressing gender-based violence wherever it starts, in language in the streets, in the workplace, in parliament, we are setting the tone for how our women and girls will continue to be treated. I call this out as a matter of urgent importance because we cannot have high functioning damaged people trying to help damaged people. We must make sure we are able to be healthy, fulfilled and feel safe.”