Jacqueline Henry, Gleaner Writer

Rheima Hall, wife of Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall, yesterday put forward a call for the end of abuse against women. She said this was more prevalent than traffic accidents and malaria.

Mrs. Hall, in her address during a ceremony to celebrate yesterday's 98th anniversary of International Women's Day, said the vulnerability of the disabled makes women in that category prime targets for abuse and that the justice system does not allow them adequate protection.

The ceremony, hosted by the Bureau of Women's Affairs at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston, was attended by a capacity audience under the theme: 'Violence Against Women is a Serious Thing - STOP IT!'

Support groups

The conference was supported by many groups and individuals, including United States Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson, who delivered the main address, representatives of the diplomatic corps, UNICEF, the Government and Opposition, uniformed groups from the Jamaica Constabulary Force and Correctional Services.

Mrs. LaGrange Johnson bemoaned the fact that violence and the threat of violence remained a reality for women across the globe. She said the most common acts of violence performed against women were carried out by their spouses, and too many dismiss these acts as a fault of the victim or a cultural phenomenon. Ambassador LaGrange Johnson applauded the men who take a stance against acts of violence against women.

Faith Webster, the acting executive director of the Bureau of Women's Affairs, in delivering greetings from Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, implored the nation to stop "hushing up" the violence against women and to make the day a prayerful and peaceful one for all Jamaicans.