10/12/2021
Today is the last day of the Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence. It is also recognized as Human Rights Day. We have come to the end of a 16-day period of sensitization, reflection and education on Gender-based Violence. The Honourable Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte has committed to supporting the empowerment of the Department of Gender Affairs to coordinate Gender-based Violence response in Saint Lucia.
We completed the training of over one hundred (100) service providers in the health, social, policing and justice sectors in the use of Saint Lucia's GBV Referral Pathways.
The Department of the Public Service initiated the consultative process on the Sexual Harassment Policy for the Public Service and announced their commitment to making Orange Day an annual event.
Civil Society Organizations and the public engaged in activities geared at increasing awareness of GBV. Discussions and interviews sparked interest in the general public to act to end GBV and conversations around this were started in some corners.
The awareness does not end here. Response to GBV is not seasonal, it is continuous. We at the Department of Gender Affairs wish to thank all individuals, agencies, organizations and sectors who participated in this year's observance. We are all in this together and we all must commit to being part of the solution to end Gender-based Violence and achieve gender equality once and for all.
Happy Human Rights Day everyone!
