Sheroes Youth Action to end Gender-Based Violence in the Caribbean

“Youth-led action is critical in the fight against culturally sanctioned behaviors, preconceived notions of traditional gender norms and stereotypical gender roles which lead to violence against women and girls in the Caribbean.”

“Through Youth Against GBV Campaign, we were able to educate and engage more than one thousand young people through the dissemination of infographics, provision of resources and through hosting live events with local activists and advocates. This year, we hope to engage and educate even more young people through a combination of virtual and in person events. We believe that the key to ending gender-based violence is engaging with young people to eliminate harmful behaviors, attitudes and stereotypes that are passed on through generations."

"The unfortunate scourge of domestic violence that causes women and children to live in fear, and the number of murder-suicide cases has drastically increased over the past few years in the security forces. Gender-based violence is a public health issue which means it is everybody's business and for things to change, we must take an interprofessional approach My non-profit organization, Chosen Stars Foundation launched a mental health programme in partnership with a local police station to provide mandatory counselling to victims/survivors and perpetrators of all intimate partner violence cases reported to the station.” 

“We need to educate ourselves about rape culture, the normalization of harmful behaviors, and the effects that generate gender-based violence. Check yourself, ask yourself, have I ever perpetuated rape culture. What does that look like? Does my environment encourage it? How can I shift this perspective? Understand from the victim’s point of view. Don't blame them.”

Oliviann Weekes works at the St. Lucia Planned Parenthood Association and highlights the need to create safe spaces to openly discuss and educate every individual on the dangers and consequences of gender-based violence (GBV). “Currently, we are working on a research project which focuses on understanding the attitudes of men and boys towards gender-based violence. The results will help us develop more targeted messages to continue fighting against GBV.”

“Gender-based violence is a multi-contextual, multi-generational, multi-cultural, multi-national scourge that crops up in culturally specific modes. It is related to the myriad ways in which gender is constructed and performed; notions of the appropriate exercise of personal and institutional authority; patterns of marriage and cohabitation; educational levels, racism and poverty; ideologies and values; beliefs and traditions.”