Seychelles
Seychellois focus on gender-based violence

afrol News, 30 March - A seminar on gender-based violence was earlier this week organised by the Alliance of Solidarity For the Family (ASFF) at National House, Victoria, Seychelles. The participants in particular called upon the docile by-standers who watched situations get worse to become more involved in helping curb the problem. 

- Seychelles has installed the necessary legal infrastructure to help fight domestic violence, but also has potential players who could help reduce the menace who nevertheless regrettably remain passive in situations where they could be of assistance, the Secheyllois newspaper "The Nation" today reported.

Participants to the seminar however found that civil society was to indifferent to the widespread problem of domestic violence. They recommended every Sechellois to get more involved in the problem, and that even churches play a more active role towards that end.

Addressing the participants, the director general for social affairs, Mrs Noella Gontier, underscored the facts, saying: "Seychelles has pronounced itself loud and clear on the issue of domestic violence against women and children, through legislation as well as services and structures. The Family Violence (Protection of Victims) Act 2000 is the most recent and meaningful example of such manifestation."

However, she went on saying that gender-based violence was the concern of everyone and that in many ways, the entire community was responsible for the continued assault on women and children. Mrs Gontier lashed out at "the friends or neighbours" who ignored or excused violence and said that "violence must become a public concern."

The seminar was covered by the Seychellois press, and by the daily newspaper "The Nation" in particular, making it a frontpage headline. Women's situation in Seychelles is favourable by African standards. Women are well representented in politics and business, and discrimination in inheritance, employment and education are seldomly reported. Domestic violence, particularly wife beating, remains however pervasive and is reportedly increasing.

Police seldom intervene in domestic disputes, unless the dispute involves a weapon or major assault. The few cases that reach a prosecutor often are dismissed, or, if a case reaches court, the perpetrator usually is given only a light sentence. Rape, spousal rape, and domestic abuse are however criminal offenses. 

A survey of six church parishes conducted in 1999 by the Association for the Promotion of Solid Humane Families, an NGO, revealed that 25 percent of those surveyed stated that they have been victims of domestic violence, confirming the general belief that the problem is more widespread than official statistics indicate. Participants in the NGO survey stated that alcohol was one of the main causes of domestic violence. 

Over the last years, there has been a growing societal concern about domestic violence and increased recognition of the need to address it. During year 2000, local NGO's sponsored awareness campaigns and training programs for women and girls. This week's seminar, organised by the Alliance of Solidarity For the Family, was a follow up on these campaigns. 

Sources: "The Nation", US State Dept. and afrol archives

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