Politicians came out in force for the 24th Annual Silent Witness March on Wednesday to support victims of gender violence. The event came amid questions over whether long-awaited legislation on sexual harassment would finally make its way through Parliament.
Former premier Wayne Panton, who attended the march along with organisers from the Business and Professional Women’s Club (BPW) of Grand Cayman and staff from government’s Gender Affairs Unit, told the Compass he was going to “keep the pressure on” to see that legislation was passed. He said he held out no hope, however, that it would happen before next year’s general election, blaming “male chauvinism” for the lack of progress so far.
Panton was joined by Deputy Premier Kenneth Bryan and fellow MPs André Ebanks, Katherine Ebanks-Wilks and Heather Bodden, who walked silently through George Town.
The route took them from the former government administration building on Elgin Avenue to Constitution Hall, with walkers receiving supportive honks from passing cars.
Inside Constitution Hall, the gathering was welcomed by Mahreen Nabi, first vice president of the BPW, and Cheryl Myles, current BPW president.
“Since its inception, this march has served as a beacon of hope and remembrance,” Nabi said. “Twenty-four years ago, a community began this journey with a solemn purpose to ensure that those lost to domestic violence are not forgotten, and that survivors know that they are seen, heard and valued.”
Speaking next, Myles said that the route the walkers took had a particular significance.
“The route symbolises the journey of seeking protection,” said Myles, “receiving justice as we pass the police station and then the courthouse, and then the role of legislation in creating lasting change [in] the House of Parliament.”
She added, “The Silent Witness March is an opportunity for community members to stand in solidarity with survivors and demand a future free from violence and fear.”
Outreach coordinator for the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre Chrisanne Atkinson told attendees that the centre received between 300-350 calls every year and had around 120 people being housed in its emergency shelter. Since January this year, the centre has received 327 crisis calls and sheltered 127 people – 69 women and 58 children.
West Bay Central MP Katherine Ebanks-Wilks then addressed the group, saying, “As the former minister responsible for the Gender Affairs Unit, I am fully aware of the need for the draft anti-sexual harassment bill to be published and tabled in Parliament.”
She added, “This legislation aims to address the unacceptable and unwelcome behaviours by both women and men that have plagued our society for far too long … Once published and approved, this bill will send a strong message across our nation about the importance of boundaries and respect.
“I urge everyone to support me in calling for the swift publication and debate of this draft bill that has come together to ensure that every individual feels safe, respected and valued in our society.”
A lengthy wait
Legislation against sexual harassment has been a long time coming in the Cayman Islands. A law on this issue was first proposed by the BPW in 2005 after the group highlighted a national problem with stalking and sexual harassment, with work beginning on drafting legislation that same year. A version of the bill was published by the Law Reform Commission in 2012 but was not passed.
The most recent draft of the Sexual Harassment Bill was published in February 2023 when Wayne Panton was premier. It was ready to go before Cabinet at the end of that year, but nothing has progressed since.
Panton said that the march was something he tried to attend every year.
“It’s important for everyone in society to mark this issue and recognise the role of women in society and the fact that nobody should be subjected to any kind of abuse,” he said.
Referring to the continued legislative delays, Panton said, “I did the bill originally and it was in a form that was ready to go, but to be honest there were people in government who were trying to prevent it from coming through, trying to derail it, so I kept the pressure up.”
When asked why the bill was being held up, he answered, “I can’t quite understand why. I think it’s typical male chauvinism and in my experience, it has been men who are coming up with little silly reasons why we shouldn’t support this legislation … I have been particularly bothered by the fact that we have a government led by a woman who has not put this as a priority, and it’s a piece of legislation that has been ready.”
On whether he thought legislation would be passed before next year’s general election, his blunt response was, “No, but I will keep the pressure on.”
A more optimistic note was sounded by former Deputy Premier André Ebanks, who said he joined Ebanks-Wilks in urging action on this issue.
“This legislation is necessary, not just for our society but because it brings the Cayman Islands in line with international standards,” he said.
He added, “The impact of abuse on the victims and on the fabric of society can’t be understated. The statistics that are shared each year are alarming. It would be great to see even more people in the community marching here next year and to translate that effort into ending domestic abuse now.”
The event was part of ’16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’. Now in its 21st year in the Cayman Islands, the 16-day global campaign raises crucial awareness of gender-based violence through a series of community activities.
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Long awaited legislation is required with haste. I do hope there will be consideration for men that are abused by women. There are no support or help for men on island that are caught with manipulated women who knows the legal system and have a good friend that is a lawyer. In most instances when reported by men it is taken lightly and the man is left standing isolated, embarrassed and everything taken from him.