In a compelling intervention during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, women’s rights advocate Melissa Savoury-Gittens has proposed comprehensive school programming focused on building self-worth and mutual respect among youth as a fundamental solution to reducing gender-based violence. The president of Barbados’ National Organisation of Women (NOW) emphasized that current approaches often concentrate on addressing abuse after it occurs rather than preventing the underlying conditions that enable it.
Savoury-Gittens expressed particular concern about young women entering abusive relationships due to diminished self-esteem, noting that many victims remain in harmful situations because they lack the confidence to recognize toxic dynamics. Her research conducted through school outreach programs reveals that the predisposition to accept abuse frequently develops long before actual victimization occurs.
The advocate called for educational initiatives that teach both girls and boys about healthy relationships, self-love, and mutual respect. She specifically highlighted the need for programs that help young women develop stronger self-identity and the ability to identify various forms of abuse, including psychological manipulation that often precedes physical violence.
Savoury-Gittens also addressed the role of young men in preventing violence, arguing that educational programming must include boys to effectively change patterns of behavior. She recommended structured guidance on appropriate interpersonal communication and treatment of others as essential components of violence prevention.
Supporting proposed educational reforms, the NOW president endorsed community service requirements for all students as a character-building initiative that fosters proper mindset development and strengthens community bonds. Additionally, she advocated for enhanced psychological support services in schools, calling for more frequent counselor visits than the current standard of weekly sessions.
The comprehensive approach proposed by Savoury-Gittens represents a paradigm shift from reactive measures to proactive prevention, addressing the root causes of gender-based violence through early education and confidence-building strategies.