Dear Editor,

The Bahá’í community of Jamaica is of the view that our country has an extraordinary opportunity to reflect on the issue of acts of violence perpetrated against women, whether these acts take place in or outside of the home, or whether or not they are of a sexual nature.

We have the opportunity to start a national conversation that will not begin and end with words but will target violence prevention by seeking to identify and address the underlying causes of the violence rather than its symptoms. Efforts aimed at prevention must consider the prevailing concepts of gender identity and of power, and the forms of discrimination and disadvantage that place women and girls at risk of violence.

As a contribution to the national conversation and in recognition of International Women’s Day (March 8), the Bahá’í community shares the following extract from the Baha’i International Community:

“The persistence and growth of violence directed against women, both personal and institutional, is largely attributable to the traditional exclusion of women from processes of development and decision-making. A profound adjustment in humanity’s collective outlook is needed, guided by the consideration of universal values and spiritual principles. Legislation is needed which lends practical expression to the equality of the sexes by dealing with the particular injustices which women face.

Domestic violence is a fact of life for many women throughout the world, regardless of race, class, or educational background. In many societies traditional beliefs that women are a burden make them easy targets of anger. In other situations, men’s frustration is vented on women and children when economies shrink and collapse. In all parts of the world, violence against women persists because it goes unpunished.

Beliefs and practices that contribute to the oppression of women must be re-examined in the light of justice. When properly understood, the principle of the fundamental equality of men and women will eventually transform all social relations, allowing each person to develop his or her unique gifts and talents.

The utilisation of everyone’s strengths will foster the maturation of society. As the principle of equality gains acceptance, the challenge of transmitting it to the next generation must be undertaken by parents, schools, governments and NGOs.

The family is the basic unit of society: all of its members should be educated according to spiritual principles. The rights of all need to be safeguarded and children trained to respect themselves and others. According to the Bahá’í writings, “The integrity of the family bond must be constantly considered, and the rights of the individual members must not be transgressed.”

Education in spiritual values is necessary not only to protect women but, indeed, to foster respect for all people, so that human honour and dignity may be preserved and a global ethos may evolve in which all human rights are upheld.

The Bahá’í International Community is convinced that nothing short of an infusion of spiritual values can effect the transformation of individuals and institutions that will ensure respect for the human rights of all people.

The Baha’i community, through local and national administrative councils in more than 165 countries, is working in a variety of ways to change the status and perception of women. Our community’s experiences and the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh make us confident that our world is destined to move beyond the present condition to one in which all members of the human family enjoy equally the full realisation of their human rights.”

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Jamaica

208 Mountain View Avenue

Kingston 6

nsajam@gmail.com