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5. Gender-based Violence

Context-specific triggers

There is no simple explanation. The pervasiveness of domestic violence suggests that it is neither

random nor isolated, nor can it be explained by abnormal characteristics of the abuser or the victim.
Rather, it has been described as “systemic and structural, a mechanism of patriarchal control of women
that is built on male superiority and female inferiority, sex-stereotyped roles and expectations, and

economic, social, and political predominance of men and dependency of women.” 5

Dominica: causes of violence include impacts of loss of employment on the household, shelters that are

not designed with gender considerations, and an increase in drug and alcohol use

St Lucia: harmful gender stereotypes identify specific, rigid roles for women in the society. Domestic
violence in Saint Lucia “is exacerbated by the severely depressed state of the economy where victims
are economically dependent on their abusers.”

Jamaica: In Jamaica approximately 80% of violent acts occurred between intimate partners with

predictors being childhood experience of violence, controlling behaviour of husband/partner and
alcohol use by perpetrators. Source: Domestic Violence and Its Profile by Sewell, Martin, Abel

Guyana: high correlation between drugs and/or alcohol abuse and violence against women. Other
common situations in which violence takes place are where the man is under financial pressure or other

stress, where the woman is educated and/or in paid employment
Suriname: In some interior areas, women have faced violence and family discussion following the

increase of their income due to agricultural activities.

Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean (SAC) Project

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