“The difference between a broken community and a thriving one is the presence of women who are valued.” –State Department Women of Courage Awards 2009

A lot of things bother me. A lot of things irk me. But I think nothing bothers and irks me more than domestic violence, especially when perpetrated against women.

Of late, there has been an increase in the incidence of acts of domestic violence against women that have been reported. And if you think the cases that have been reported are alarming, imagine the sheer number of incidents of domestic violence that go unreported.

In my humble opinion, any form of violence perpetrated against women is a callous and egregious act of cowardice! I am sorry, but not sorry. I cannot and will not condone any form of violence against women. This is the 21st Century, for Christ’s sake! It is past time that we as a society buckle up and take a stand with and for our women.

Women are the pillars and backbone of our society. They give birth to new life and contribute to the continuous life cycle, which in turn leads to the development of a nation. These women are our grandmothers, mothers, wives, sisters and nieces. It is through a woman that we even begin to exist.

So, how do we then even disrespect or disregard them, or bring them into such disrepute? It is a sad day for any society when our women are not held up to the highest honor that they rightfully deserve. It is a sad day for society when we water down the value of our women.

Listen! Women are superheroes! We cannot even begin to walk in their shoes or to experience the things women are subjected to and are made to undergo. Oh, it’s easy for us to get up in the morning to a (woman) waking us up, have breakfast that a (woman) makes, take a bath that a (woman) sets and wear clothes that a (woman) ironed before going to work from 8 to 5.

But I challenge you to look after the children all day, wash the clothes and dry them, cook and do the dishes and still find time to entertain in between. Furthermore, women are now more educated and qualified than ever. They bundled up their heaps and took to school and have garnered their education. And they are standing shoulder to shoulder in the workplaces and competing for the jobs and other roles because they are not only aptly qualified, but they can deliver! ACHE

It really aches my heart and crushes my spirit when we subject the very beings who raise and nurture us to undue violence and degradation. We as a society can and must do better. It is time to take a stand, Belize! Violence perpetrated against our women cannot and must not be made to continue. It cannot be accepted as the norm, and if needs be, we must enact stringent laws and legislations that will fully protect our women.

Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States, once said, and I quote, that “the measure of any society is how it treats its women and children”.

The time is ripe for us to demand better treatment, equal rights and justice for our beloved women! As a society, we cannot go on like this, trampling down on our women and proceeding as if all is well.

All is not well. And all will not be well until we take a stand — and stand in solidarity with our women and put an end to domestic violence and all forms of violence against women!
Together, in partnership, we can achieve this — a beautiful Belize where our women are truly loved and valued and are able to live and thrive in a society that is free from the threats of violence against their very existence!

God Bless Belize!