Female students from across the territory heard presentations about gender-based violence on Monday at the Road Town Methodist Church during the territory’s observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls.
Legislators, public officers and others assembled for the event, which was spearheaded by the Office of Gender Affairs under the theme “Orange the World: Call it out; respect women.”
Then-Junior Minister for Tourism Shereen Flax-Charles (R-at large) presented on “bringing your own seat to the table;” opposition member Alvera Maduro-Caines (R-D6) spoke on “Owning your own business as a woman;” and H. Lavity Stoutt Community College lecturer Rochelle Smith spoke on “the importance of being an educated woman.”
Attendees included students from the Bregado Flax Educational Centre Primary Division, as well as Cedar International, Seventh-day Adventist Secondary, Jost Van Dyke Primary and St. George’s Secondary schools.
Petrona Davies, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, delivered opening remarks, and Gender Affairs Coordinator Tara Sue Morgan chaired the event.
Students wore orange ribbons and recited “empowerment pieces” to commemorate the day, according to Government Information Services.
Globally, the annual observance kicked off the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence,” which ends on Dec. 10 on International Human Rights Day.
“The 16 days is an international campaign that highlights the link between violence-free lifestyles and human rights yearly,” according to GIS.