Paula Lindo – Our histories, stories, present, future.

UN Women is currently globally celebrating 16 Days of Violence Activism against Gender Based Violence, which began on November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and ends on December 10, 2015 (International Human Rights Day).

Here in T&T, some events celebrating the 16 Days of Activism will be carried out by the YWCA, Population Services International Caribbean (PSI-C) and the Network of NGOs for the Advancement of Women.

The YWCA’s events include its “In Her Shoes” Exhibition, a display that shares stories of women, men and families who have suffered and survived domestic abuse. Its interactive approach allows the audience to share a moment with each story, to walk in the narrator’s shoes and to hear their stories.
PSI-C will partner with UN Women and the Institute for Gender and Development Studies, UWI St. Augustine Campus, to host the “Step It Up to End Violence against Women” Film Festival 2015. Part of this effort is a film screening and panel discussion exploring intimate partner relationships within the LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex) community, as well as a youth rally against gender-based violence.

• Tuesday December 1 – Network of NGOs World AIDS Day Candle Lighting Ceremony, Scarborough Esplanade
• Tuesday December 1 – PSI-C Condom Olympics and Film Screening of Invisible, the S Factor and Positive and Pregnant at Nelson Mandela Park.
• Thursday December 3 – YWCATT “In Her Shoes Exhibition” Harris Promenade, San Fernando
• Thursday December 3 – Lights. Camera, Activism! Black Box, Murray Street, Woodbrook
• Saturday December 5 – YWCATT Walk against Gender-Based Violence
• Saturday December 5 – PSI-C Make It Stop Youth Rally
• Thursday December 10 – YWCATT Film Screening and Panel Discussion, Black Pool Sports and Cultural Club, Tunapuna
• Thursday December 10 – Equal Opportunity Commission's Seminar & Brunch to launch National CEDAW report, EOC Office, Chaguanas
• Friday December 11 – YWCATT “In Her Shoes Exhibition” Harris Promenade, San Fernando
• Sunday December 13 – YWCATT Church Service, Pro Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in San Fernando

In his message on the International Day for the elimination of violence against women, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said the atrocity crimes being committed against women and girls in conflict zones, along with the domestic abuse found in all countries, are grave threats to progress.
“I have led a global response through the UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign and the HeForShe initiative to engage men in promoting gender equality. I call on governments to increase contributions to the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, which aims to address chronic underinvestment in this area. Millions of people across the world are uniting under the banner colour orange, chosen to symbolize the brighter future of a world free from violence against women and girls.”
Ban said “The pervasiveness of violence against women and girls means we can all take steps to address it. Let us join forces to end this crime, promote full gender equality and realize a world where women and girls enjoy the safety they deserve – for their sake and for all of humanity.”

For further information:
PSI-C – email info@psicaribbean.org, visit http://www.psicaribbean.org or find them on Facebook PSI Caribbean
YWCATT – Call YWCATT Office at 627-6388 or email: staffywcatt@gmail.com
Network of NGOs for the Advancement of Women: email networkngott@gmail.com