16 days of activism against gender-based violence

Friday marks the beginning of sixteen days of activism against gender-based violence.  In our Belizean society both men and women are victims of physical and sexual abuse.  The statistics however, reflect a significant difference in the number of women who are preyed upon by men.  A series of activities have been organized by various entities across the country beginning with an official opening ceremony to be held at the Yarborough Green on Friday.  Director of the Women’s Department, Icilda Humes, says the idea is to further raise awareness of these social issues through interaction with the wider community.

Icilda Humes, Director, Women’s Department

icilda humes

“Tomorrow we have the official opening for Sixteen Days of Activism and so we have a short opening ceremony at two-thirty at the Yarborough Green.  Before the start of the ceremony we have the Ministry of Health that will be offering free HIV tests so come out and get tested, know your status and that will begin from one-thirty to two-thirty.  We have the opening ceremony; we’re going to be having remarks from the assistant representative of UNFPA.  They have been providing financial assistance to the Women’s Department for various programs including the Sixteen Days of Activism through their Unite Campaign and we’ll also have a testimonial from a sexual violence survivor.  After the opening ceremony we have the march so we really want to encourage men and women to come out. You can expect to see a lot of training sessions on sexual violence and other gender-based violence issues, different workshops.  You can expect to see a series of self-defense and personal safety sessions happening in Orange Walk, in Belize City, in Punta Gorda and you can expect to see the free legal clinics coming back again.  We’re going to be having two this year, one in Belize City this Saturday at the University of the West Indies auditorium and one the following Saturday, December fourth at the La Inmaculada auditorium in Orange Walk.”

The Sixteen Days of Activism is geared toward the inclusion of men and women to end gender-based violence as outlined in the Millennium Development Goals.