Soroptimists slam Govt over gender injustice, violence

The Barbadian arm of an international women’s empowerment organisation has taken aim at the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF), the Attorney General’s Office and the Judiciary as they condemned injustice and violence against women ahead of International Women’s Day.

To launch two days of activism, a handful of women from the Soroptimist International Barbados assembled outside the Supreme Court’s White Park Road complex for the first phase of their silent stand for action.

“From our perspective, we would like to see women being believed, interviewed properly by police officers, and from the judiciary. We are not satisfied that perpetrators of domestic or sexual violence are being held accountable,” said Lisa Toppin-Corbin, President of Soroptimist International Barbados.

As women across the world prepare to celebrate this year’s March 8 International Women’s Day under the theme Each for Equal“, Toppin-Corbin pointed out that in recent times, there has been an increase in incidents where alleged perpetrators were given “slaps on the wrist”.

“So we thought it would be a great initiative to come out here and demonstrate that enough is enough. We all need to play a part in calling for action from the judiciary and the police force,” she added.

The president added that the local Soroptomist Club is a member of the National Organisation of Women (NOW). NOW president Marsha Hinds has written to the Chief Justice and the Attorney General expressing dissatisfaction with the ongoing state of affairs.

Lisa Toppin-Corbin

Toppin-Corbin said: “We are seeing instances where police prosecutors are not providing sufficient information, so magistrates can’t hold perpetrators accountable.

“We haven’t heard a response from either of them, so tomorrow, we are having a silent demonstration from the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ court to the Royal Barbados Police Force’s headquarters in Roebuck Street from 10 a.m. to midday.”

Toppin-Corbin also indicated that her wish for a gender-equal Barbados includes a society that promotes equality in other aspects of society like the workplace and in the homes.

“The community has a part to play. Men, women, and everyone have a part to play in the fight for long-term gender equality in Barbados,” she said.

kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb