Nurses Call for Action Against Gender-Based Violence

By R. Butcher. Updated 12:20 p.m., Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

The Nurses’ Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (NASVG) on September 15, 2025, called for urgent action to address rising gender-based violence against women and girls, warning that the trend reflects deep systemic inequalities.

In a statement, the association said it is “deeply troubled by the disturbing increase in violence against women and girls across our country. As nurses and healthcare professionals, we witness firsthand the physical injuries, psychological trauma, and long-term emotional scars that such violence inflicts on victims and their families. These are not isolated incidents. They reflect a broader crisis rooted in systemic inequalities, cultural silencing, and insufficient protective frameworks.”

The NASVG stressed that violence against women is not only a health issue but also a violation of human rights, noting that “it robs women of their dignity, security, and, in some cases, their lives.”

As caregivers and advocates, the association said nurses are ethically bound to speak out, protect the vulnerable, and promote systems that uphold justice and safety. Their stance is grounded in the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Code of Ethics, which states: “Nurses have a responsibility to promote health, to prevent illness, to restore health and to alleviate suffering. Inherent in nursing is respect for human rights, including cultural rights, the right to life and choice, to dignity, and to be treated with respect.”

The NASVG added that this ethical commitment compels nurses not only to care for survivors of violence but also to advocate for policies and societal changes that address its root causes. “Nurses are not passive observers; we are active participants in shaping healthier, safer communities,” the statement said.

The association called on all sectors of Vincentian society, including government, law enforcement, the judiciary, civil society, media, and faith-based organizations, to unite in condemning all forms of violence against women and to take meaningful, sustained action to eliminate it.

It is also appealing to the Government to strengthen and enforce legislation that protects women and girls, while ensuring that support services such as shelters, counselling, and legal aid are accessible, survivor-centred, and sustainably funded.

Within the healthcare system, the NASVG highlighted the urgent need for clear protocols to identify, treat, and refer victims of abuse, and called for training of all frontline workers so they can respond effectively to survivors.

The association declared that every act of violence against a woman is an attack on the fabric of society: “Their safety is not optional — it is essential.”

This information was provided by the Nurses’ Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.