Antigua and Barbuda Submits Major International Report on Violence Against Women
Antigua and Barbuda has taken a significant step in its fight to end violence against women, with the completion and submission of its official 2025 Belem do Para Report.
The report, prepared by the Directorate of Gender Affairs (DoGA), outlines the country’s progress under the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence Against Women, commonly known as the Belem do Para Convention. Adopted in 1994, the Convention sets out that violence against women is a violation of human rights and requires states to establish concrete protections.
Antigua and Barbuda’s latest report covers the period 2018 to 2024, and addresses five key areas: legislation, national plans, access to justice, data and statistics, and diversity and inclusion.
The submission reflects months of collaboration between DoGA and a wide cross-section of stakeholders, including the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Legal Aid, Family and Social Services, Civil Registry, and local NGO Women Against Rape (WAR).
Ashlea Ambris, Project Officer at DoGA, who coordinated the reporting effort, said the document showcases not just policy progress but the strength of the national response.
“This submission speaks not only to our country’s commitment to international human rights standards, but also to the strength of our national partnerships,” Ambris said. “It highlights the pivotal role the Directorate of Gender Affairs plays in ensuring Antigua and Barbuda remains accountable to the protection and advancement of women’s rights.”
Melanie Williams-Kirnon, Programme Officer at DoGA, added that addressing violence against women is more than a policy priority, it’s a moral one.
“The importance of addressing violence against women is not just a necessity, but a moral imperative for a just and equitable society. With all stakeholders working together, we can break negative cycles and foster a future where every woman lives free from fear and harm,” she said.
The report aims to help identify progress and gaps in national efforts, while also informing future policy decisions. According to DoGA, the report reinforces Antigua and Barbuda’s ongoing commitment to gender equity and international accountability.
The Directorate extended thanks to all agencies and organisations that contributed, and reiterated its pledge to continue monitoring, coordinating, and advocating for initiatives that protect and uplift women.
What does these reports do really? Do they provide a safe house for women who were abused? Because many woman who are being abused emotionally and physically have no place to go when they leave these abusive homes. These reports only inform the world of how many abuse have been reported. They don’t get down to the issue itself. We have no safe spaces dor abused women and girls. Our laws are too lenient towards abusive partners. Policemen turn a blind eye when these matters are reported. Then there is the issue of the victims who have no values and go right back into the arms of their abuser. Its a complex matter that needs more than just reports but on the ground work
I can’t help but to stand with you. And I even wish you could have typed it louder
Im pleased with the work that the DOGE is putting in to raise awareness and to address this concerning issue of gender-based violence. We may never get it 100% right but at least we can keep trying
We as men have to take care of our women. Abusing these gems is never right. A woman should be valued and women, if your man don’t value you. LEAVE
Submitting a report is one thing, but what does it mean for the woman in Gray’s Farm or the young girl in Parham? We need to see more than just promises. We need more resources for our local NGOs, like the Women Against Rape movement. We need a proper, dedicated safe house for survivors. And most importantly, we need to see our police and judicial systems taking these cases seriously and not allowing them to fall through the cracks.
A chance to challenge our cultural norms.
KUDOS To OUR Department of Gender Affairs for THE EFFORTS Your Workers have Put into CREATING This 6 Year (2018 – 2024) SNAPSHOT of the Situation in 🇦🇬 regarding: Violence Against Our Women & Girls!!!
When And Where can we (The Public) obtain A COPY of THIS Report?
As an Educator and Counselor, I am EXCITED and Anxious to BEGIN Using the Contents of THIS REPORT As An EDUCATIONAL & DISCUSSION Tool with Groups of Men And Women in Our Nation of 🇦🇬!!!!!
We ALL Need To Use EVERY OPPORTUNITY to Engage Everyone in Our Spaces on THIS TOPIC…… And having information provided in THIS REPORT which Covers Very Important Areas, provides for US A POWERFUL Educational Tool.
Thank you Once Again DoGA for THIS Report Which REFLECTS Your PARTNERSHIP with: Family Social Services, the Civil Registry, the Royal Police Force (?Service) of 🇦🇬, the Ministry of Legal Affairs & Legal Aide, to name A Few.
The FACT that THIS REPORT includes the KEY AREAS Of: Legislation, National Plans, Access to Justice, Data and Statistics, Diversity and Inclusion of Stakeholders, etc; And Further REFLECTS Our Nation’s PROGRESS in the Areas of : Prevention, Punishment, Eradication of Violence against Women & Girls, as Adopted in the “1994 Belem do Para Convention” (Which requires States to establish CONCRETE Protections), certainly MAKES This Report A VERY IMPORTANT Educational Tool to be used by A WIDE Cross Section Of Groups in 🇦🇬!!!
Working TOGETHER, and In Consultation with DoGA, in our National Educational and Discussion Efforts, will CERTAINLY help Us ALL to Progress Very Quickly in: Eliminating The Gaps existing in Our National Efforts, and making Future Policy Decisions towards Gender Equity, And The Advancement of Women’s Rights as more than just a Policy Proposal, but as A Moral Priority that becomes an Imperative for A Just and Equitable Society……
Once Again KUDOS TO DoGA on This EXCELLENT Report Which can be used as an INFORMATION AND EDUCATIONAL Tool to Help Our National Discussions in our Efforts to ADDRESS And get rid of The Scourge of Violence Against Our Women and Girls ….
…….. Looking Forward to hearing WHEN and WHERE the Public can Obtain copies of THIS EXCELLENT Report which can SERVE as A Means for Education, Discussion and Future Policy Decisions and possibly Law Reform in our Nation 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda!