Friday was International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and T&T has announced a reduction in violent crimes against women in 2017.
According to the latest statistics released to the T&T Guardian by the Police Service, for the period January 1 to October 31, there were 1,484 reports of violence against females under and over 18 years of age. In 2016, there was a total of 2,414.
With respect to murders, this year, a total of 45 females were killed, up until October 31, whilst in 2016 there was an overall total of 48.
In a United Nations report, in Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of countries with national women protection policies has risen from 24 in 2013 to 31 in 2016, yet, the region is still the most violent in the world for women (WHO 2013).
The UN report was launched on Thursday at the regional parliament with over 120 legislators.
To halt this problem the report recommended addressing women’s protection issues at a higher political level, with more investment, a comprehensive approach and greater co-operation as key to eradicating violence against women and girls in latin America and the Caribbean
The new study also compiles best practices for the eradication of violence against women, identifies critical issues and proposes key actions to achieve qualitative advances and overcome this social scourge of epidemic proportions in the region.