Bridgetown- December 8^th, 2020- The Canadian Government funded IMPACT Justice Project and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) partnered with Soroptimist International of Jamestown on December 8^th, 2020toraise awareness to theUnitedNation’s “16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence” through a “Say No to Violence Against Women: An Orange Presence,” campaign along Broad Street.

This activity included the distribution of materials on violence against women prepared by Soroptimist International of Jamestown, PAHO and IMPACT Justice as well as key rings, pins and other paraphernalia. Professor Velma Newton, CBE, SCM, Regional Project Director of the IMPACT Justice Project, attended the event and stated that for IMPACT Justice, this initiative is actually the third such activity supported by the Project to further the cause of ending gender-   based violence. She advised that the Project also hosted two televised panel discussions on Gender Based Violence on CBC TV 8 and produced a pamphlet on “Violence Against Women and Girls and the Justice Sector Response during COVID 19,” which is available on the IMPACT Justice Project website.

Immediate Past President of Soroptimist International of Jamestown, Ms. Cheri Niles also highlighted that for Soroptimist International the cause of Violence Against Women and Girls is of paramount importance. She mentioned that the activity along Broad Street was only one activity being held by the Soroptimist to commemorate the 16 days of Activism and noted that they have been working with the Bureau of Gender Affairs, PAHO and other Women’s Organisations across Barbados to host various events including lectures, book readings and workshops all to bring awareness to the cause.

The IMPACT Justice Project is pleased to collaborate with Soroptimist International of Jamestown and PAHO to support this initiative.