We love seeing local coverage of global events. Both articles are also available to read online.
The first article can be found at HTS St. Lucia HERE
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“One in three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. Ending violence against women is as important as ending poverty, or Aids or global warming. That’s why I want you to join our campaign.”
These are the words of Eve Ensler, founder of the One Billion Rising movement, a global campaign to highlight and eliminate violence against women, held annually on Valentine’s Day.
Locally, United and Strong and the Eastern Caribbean hub of the Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities (CariFLAGS) joined One Billion Rising for Justice to include sexual and other violence against LGBTI people.
The event, held at the Derek Walcott Square, included artistic expressions such as dance, music, poetry and drumming, alongside expressions of solidarity with survivors of gender-based violence.
Members of the organization will also sign onto a critical petition by One Billion Rising Caribbean, asking Caribbean Community leaders to change marital rape laws and build more shelters for survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the Caribbean.
Souyenne Dathorne is a survivor of sexual violence. She says the goal is to help others. Many young people came out to support Friday’s activity.
Students and teachers alike say it was important to be part of the largest ever day of global action – online and offline – protesting violence against women and girls.
According to the United Nations ‘Ending Violence Against Women’ report, all Caribbean countries (where comparable data is available) have higher than the global average for rape. Organizers of Friday’s activity say it’s time to demand more action from authorities to prevent violence against women and bring perpetrators to justice. The petition to CARICOM Leaders is available online at change.org.
The second article can be found at St. Lucia News HERE
Press release – Thursday, February 13th, 2014 at 3:35 PM
One Billon Rising St. Lucia
Activists, artistes, survivors and citizens will converge at the Derek Walcott Square tomorrow to raise their voice for justice as the world connects through the “One Billion Rising” campaign. The event from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. will include artistic expressions such as dance, music, poetry and drumming, alongside expressions of solidarity with survivors or gender-based violence. United and Strong and the Eastern Caribbean hub of the Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities (CariFLAGS) will also join One Billion Rising for Justice to include sexual and other violence against Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. This is the second year U&S will join OBR organisers PROSAF (Positive Reactions Over Secrets and Fear) to highlight long-term efforts to secure justice for survivors of violence.
Members of the organization will also sign onto a critical petition by One Billion Rising Caribbeans. OBR 2014 is asking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders to change marital rape laws and build more shelters for survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the Caribbean. One in three women in the Caribbean experience domestic violence, and all Caribbean countries where comparable data is available have higher than the global average for rape. In response, OBR began as a global movement to end violence against women and girls in 2013. The petition will be available at the Derek Walcott Square for citizens to sign on to demand more action from authorities to prevent and address perpetrators of violence. The petition is also available online at change.org.
