While most countries have ceased to regard violence against women, and in particular domestic violence, as a private matter, we in the CARICOM Region are still too indifferent, if not too tolerant, of violence against women.

We are still a long way off from achieving the desired state of "Zero Tolerance for Violence Against Women" and the ultimate goal of a violence-free society.

While a number of mechanisms and institutions have been established by governments and NGOs over the last 20 years to address the issue of violence against women, we seem to be faced with an escalation in the incidence of violence. This points to the need for a greater understanding of the causes of violence, and calls for the development of new and creative approaches to the problem, among them being "sensitisation of the public that violence is unacceptable for settling disputes, as a means of entertainment and as an expression of power".

Violence against women is a violation of the human rights of women.

And while we must continue to emphasise this point, we must also develop and implement new strategies and actions. In this regard, the points raised are worthy of elaboration:

2. We must encourage citizens to question the promotion of violence as an appropriate form of entertainment, and call upon them to challenge the media in particular in this regard;

3.  We must stimulate discussion about the use of violence as an expression of power. Where power is now viewed as "control over others" we must promote a new concept of power which embodies self confidence and the "power to" realise possibilities.

In all of this men must cease to take a back seat and must become active protagonists in the struggle to eradicate violence against women. Men must engage in discussion on the issue and be in the vanguard of the process for change. Together men and women must recognise and accept fully that violence against women is not a women's problem but a societal problem.

On this day, 25 November, 1997, as women around the world and in the Caribbean pause to reflect on this societal scourge, I want to give assurance of my resolve and that of the Secretariat to continue to work towards finding solutions to this problem.