Barbados Gears Up for National Domestic Violence Action Plan with National Consultation

Barbados is working towards developing a Roadmap for a National Domestic Violence Action Plan, which will strengthen its domestic violence response framework.

To this end, a National Consultation on Domestic Violence will be held next Monday and Tuesday to advance a coordinated, multisectoral response to domestic violence.

The Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, and the Bureau of Gender Affairs, in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank and UN Women, are convening the two-day meeting.

It will bring together policymakers, law enforcement, civil society representatives, service providers, and international partners to assess the current landscape, address critical gaps, and chart a path forward to develop the actionable roadmap.

The Roadmap for a National Domestic Violence Action Plan will be structured around legislation, policy,

social norms and prevention, essential services, data and collaboration.

Attorney General Dale Marshall emphasised the importance of the discussions towards the creation of the roadmap.

“The consultation will provide a platform for key stakeholders to examine legislative and policy frameworks, explore evidence-based interventions, and strengthen institutional collaboration to ensure victims and survivors receive the protection, justice and services they need.

“The discussions will also highlight good practices from the region and across the international community, foster peer learning, and support the development of concrete, actionable recommendations that align with national and international commitments to addressing gender-based violence,” he stated.

(BGIS)