Protection for women crawls towards legislature

| 13/10/2009

(CNS): Although it is over a year since the murder of local activist and advocate, Estella Scott-Roberts, the legislation promised by the authorities in the wake of her death has still not been enacted. However, this week it took a step closer to the statute books with the public consultation of the law reform commission’s Protection Against Domestic Violence Bill, 2009. People are being asked to comments and submit views on the legislative proposal         posted on www.gov.ky on the home page under features. Meanwhile on Saturday the BPW will be holding a silent witness march from the Glass house to the Legislative Assembly.

Government said submissions re the draft bill should be posted no later than 20 November, 2009 to the Director, Law Reform Commission, c/o Government Administration Building or delivered by hand to the offices of the Commission on 3rd Floor Anderson Square or emailed to cheryl.neblett@gov.ky

On Saturday 17 October hundreds of people are expected to join the Business & Professional Women’s Club (BPW) Silent Witness march which starts at noon outside the Glass House on Elgin Avenue and will make its way to Fort Street  and the Legislative Assembly where there will be a brief ceremony. Everyone is invited to attend to express support and commitment to the eradication of gender violence in the Cayman Islands.

The Silent Witness Project is a traveling memorial honoring the 26 women who were murdered in Minnesota in 1990 in acts of domestic violence. The exhibit is made of 27 life-size wooden figures, each representing a woman who once lived, worked, had neighbors, friends, family before her death. The exhibit was conceived and produced by an ad hoc group of artists and writers in collaboration with women’s organizations in Minnesota.
In October, 1998, the first Silent Witness National March was held in Washington D.C. with participants representing Silent Witness projects in all 50 states and the island of Guam.

The Silent Witness National Initiative had set a goal of zero deaths from domestic violence by 2010 and is coordinating efforts all across the United States to reach that goal www.silentwitness.net.

For further information on the local event please contact  Monica Czorny 9395558, Velma Powery-Hewitt 925-3606

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  1. Anonymous says:

    What time is the march on at?

    • Anonymous says:

      i think its 12p from glass house to LA walking in complete silence – quite striking to see.

      I will be there and hope to see you there my friend.

  2. Anonymous says:

    To the poster that asked how many short term memory ppl will be there- I will be there! paying my respects to Estella!

  3. Anonymous says:

    Estella was murdered, as was Sabrina Schirnn – also to violent thugs – in brutal ways.

    May they rest in peace.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Want to see how many short-term memory Caymanians turn up this year!

    • Joe Average says:

      That comment wasn’t fair.  I hope you were joking.  Estella’s passing was something that affected all of us on a deep level.  Don’t count the numbers. Some may not be able to show for the march I myself have to work. Count the hearts.