16 Days of Activism to End Gender Based Violence Begins in Antigua and Barbuda
November 25th serves as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and also marks the official start of the 16 days of activism campaign. The Minister for Social and Urban Transformation, who holds responsibility for Gender Affairs, the Honorable Rawdon Turner, notes that “The 16 Days of Activism campaign continues to provide a pivotal platform for Government, civil society, the Private Sector and all citizens to advocate, to learn, to share experiences, and to engage in meaningful action, geared towards raising awareness on gender based violence against women and girls, and ultimately working towards completely eradicating it.”
The theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism is “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls”.
The theme is seen as very relevant, as there has been an emergence and a rise in the popularity of artificial intelligence, social media and technology in general. The Honorable Minister Turner posits that “Technological advances and the digital space can and have certainly been used for good, as we have seen transformative benefits in areas such as health-care, education, law enforcement and even in relation to gender based violence, as we have seen global online campaigns such as the #Metoo movement formed, which led to unprecedented levels of attention being placed on the issue of Gender based violence, and catalyzed increased accountability and transparency in these types of matter, particularly as it relates to power imbalances between the perpetrators and survivors.”
The Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation will be leading the coordination of the commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, through its Directorate of Gender Affairs. Activities slated for the period include Orange day, in which the nation is encouraged to wear something orange to signal solidarity for survivors of gender-based violence. There will be a media day, to spread awareness about the issue of gender-based violence. There will be a Support and Referral Centre Open House, exposing stakeholders including students, police and private sector entities to the services and resources of the centre. There will be a high-level press conference on the state of gender-based violence nationally. There will be a youth parliament debate, a church service, a poster competition, a brochure distribution day, panel discussion on digital gender based violence at Tradewinds Hotel, and a dramatic theatre presentation in partnership with the Honey-Bee Theatre at Multi-Purpose Centre.
Minister Turner issues a strong clarion call to the nation on the issue of gender based violence, as he shares “I urge all citizens of Antigua and Barbuda to be fearless advocates, to support survivors of gender based violence and to all play our part in ensuring that we continue to be a leader within the region, in terms of our comprehensive gender based violence response framework, and in being an inclusive and safe society.” He adds that “The government of Antigua and Barbuda and my ministry, the Ministry of Social and Urban transformation, is committed to working diligently to advance gender equality and to eliminate gender-based violence, through policies, programs and legislation.’’
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I read the first line of this article this question popped at me, ” is violence (men against men) now existent?” I dont know that violence should be segregated into gender. All violence against all people, all gender, all sex, all religions etc is just as bad. And if we were look at violence based on gender, how is it that men against men violence hardly get the that urgent attention that is so needed. Everyday, a male kills another male and its like business as usual. Let us as a country address violence against humans (each other).