Greetings to one and all. It is my pleasure to open up the second annual “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence” from 25th November thru 10th December 2015; an international movement supported here in Anguilla by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Gender Affairs Unit.
The “16 Days of Activism” is a United Nations initiative with the goal to prevent violence and abuse in our communities. Every year, these 16 Days bring to light the issues of eliminating violence, recognizing human rights defenders, strengthening the resolve of our your young men and women, and promoting local activism to solve hard pressing issues facing our island.
Activism is a process of involvement and engagement in issues that affect our well-being. This year we are having a comprehensive programme of activities starting on 25th November, which is the International Day for Eliminating Violence Against Women. At 5:00 pm there will be a “Voices against Violence” March from the Library to the World Harvest Assembly Church, led by the newly reconstituted National Council of Women and University of the West Indies Open Campus. Brave men and women will be featured speaking about experiences of violence and abuse and how they were able to overcome.
Throughout the 16 Days, Radio Anguilla will air impactful messages relating to stopping violence and abuse on our island. The Facebook campaign titled “Break the Silence” focuses on ending the taboo nature of violence in our homes and communities and bringing these issues to the forefront so that we may focus on healing and wholeness.
From November 26th until the 29th, the focus is on developing our young men through the “Revolution Male Empowerment Conference” in collaboration with One Accord community organisation. Now more than ever, young men must combat feelings of fear, neglect and anger. They must be given a voice and an outlet to constructively express themselves. This conference provides an opportunity for our sons to be surrounded by positive male role models and grow into loving and supportive men.
In early December, Her Excellency, Governor Christina Scott and Deputy Governor Stanley Reid continue promoting activism by hosting a gathering for young men and young women activists. By supporting their innovation in assisting with the long-term development of Anguilla whether socially, politically or economically, they are ensuring that their hearts for service lead to impactful outreach.
Through a collaboration with LIME Anguilla, the Gender Affairs Unit’s “Young Girls Chat Part II” focuses on strengthening the physical and emotional health of teenage girls. On World AIDS Day, 1st December, these young ladies will build their self-confidence and resiliency as a key step in combatting violence in all its forms.
Activism during the 16 Days will also include keeping our environment clean and safe, starting with our prized beaches enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. Bring a rake and gloves and meet us on 5th December at 7:00 am at The Forest.
Each of these impactful programmes, interactive social media engagements, youth education and community projects, embraces a spirit of activism and builds our island with Unity, Strength and Endurance. The 16 Days of Activism helps us to develop a national spirit of advocacy against injustice in all its forms.
I am pleased that just this month, on 3rd November, our island took a firm position by passing the Domestic Violence Act into law; offering victims of domestic violence an order of protection and allowing for perpetrators to seek help in reforming their behaviours.
We are also seeing progress with the near extension of the Convention to Eliminate all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); an international treaty supporting gender equality in Family Life, Education and Health Care, and for some of the most vulnerable on our island, such as the unemployed and our migrant communities.
In closing, I applaud the efforts of Gender Affairs in Anguilla and support the vision to “foster equal and humane treatment in the daily lives of every man, woman, girl and boy in order to manifest a united Anguilla.” I encourage us all to “Break the Silence: End Domestic Violence” and start promoting activism in order to build a stronger nation. Thank you.
-Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
