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| Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite?? |
Barbadians are being urged to denounce gender-based violence by participating in upcoming events to observe November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence which will follow.
This year’s theme is From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World – Let’s Challenge Militarism and end Violence Against Women and the Bureau of Gender Affairs and its stakeholders will be hosting several activities during the period.
The first event, Wear Purple Campaign Promotional Fair, will be on Friday, November 25, at the Keith Bourne Complex, Belmont Road, St. Michael, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and persons may collect literature on the various forms of violence.
In the evening, the Business and Professional Women’s Club (BPW) will have its locally produced documentary on domestic violence, Fantasy Shot, premiered at the Olympus’ VIP Theatre, Sheraton Mall, Christ Church. ??Persons interested in attending should call 310-2105.
There will be a white ribbon distribution in Broad Street, the City, by the Ministry of Health’s group on Saturday, November 26, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Later in the day, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the National Organisation of Women will organise a motorcade to carry a message to counter domestic violence.?? They will visit the St. Michael communities at Quakers Road, Bush Hall, Grazettes, Farm Housing Area, and some avenues in West Terrace.
A peace vigil – Hope Against All Forms of Violence – will be held on Monday, November 28, at the George Street Auditorium, Belleville, St. Michael, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite, will deliver the feature address, while Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner, and Director of the Task Force on Crime Prevention, Cheryl Willoughby, will give remarks. The public has been asked to wear white tops and bring a candle.
SAVE Foundation will sponsor a number of SAVE Drives – community concerts and outreach programmes – starting Tuesday, November 29, at Silver Hill, Christ Church, and continuing on Monday, December 12, in Bush Hall, St. Michael, and Monday, December 26, in Haynesville, St. James. They will all begin at 4:00 p.m.
The YWCA will be co-ordinating an event entitled Today I Wear Her Shoes on Saturday, December 3. Women are being encouraged to "exchange shoes with their girlfriends" and assemble at YWCA, Deacons Road, at 9:30 a.m., where they will walk the boulevard. This initiative is aimed at sensitising women to the suffering of other females who are victims of domestic violence. It is hoped that they would feel the pain of the women and be motivated to assist in transforming their lives.????????
On Wednesday, December 7, the Bureau will host a consultation on domestic violence for the legal fraternity, as well as non-governmental organisations and government departments that deal with such victims. It will be held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, starting at 9:00 a.m.
White ribbons will also be distributed at the Glebe, Maurice Byer and Randall Phillips polyclinics during the 16 days.