The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

ADVOCACY group Women United said it is still pushing to amend the Protection Against Violence Act and wants to meet with the new minister of state for social services before the end of the year.

The group and other advocates opposed the Protection Against Violence bill that was passed in Parliament in July. Before he died, former Social Services Minister Obie Wilchcombe vowed to consider the recommendations from women’s groups to amend the law.

Lisa Bostwick-Dean, vice president of Women United, told The Tribune yesterday that the group intends to “become very proactive in advocating or in working with the government” to achieve its goal.

Myles Laroda, State Minister for Social Services said he recently met with a women’s group regarding the Protection Against Violence Act.

He said a month ago, he had a brief meeting with a representative from the United Nations, and he assured them the government is committed to tackling gender-based violence.

In August, women’s groups said critical provisions were missing from the Protection Against Violence Act.