Take Back the Night II Vigil set for November 25

~~Adz:Left~~ St. Johns, Antigua - The Directorate of Gender Affairs will again be commemorating 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, from November 25 to December 10, 2008. This year’s theme for Antigua and Barbuda is “Women and Men together we can make the difference”.

The highlight of the campaign will be a vigil to be held on November 25, which is recognised as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. On the morning of the 25th, Minister of Labour, Hon. Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro will deliver a speech, which will be aired on the local broadcast media. Later on that day, the vigil will be held at the Country Pond, starting at 5 pm.

Dubbed “Take back the Night II”, the event should come to a close at 7 pm. Performances by local poets, calypsonians and entertainers will accompany speeches by the Minister of Labour, as well as Director of Gender Affairs, Sheila Roseau. Persons who have been affected by violence will also give their testimonies.

The 16 day time period encompasses the significant dates of 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women; 1 December, World AIDS Day; 3 December International day for Persons with Disabilities and 10 December, Human Rights Day.

Other activities for the 16 days will include a purple ribbon campaign, panel discussion on ABS television on Nov 24, as well as educational campaigns in the local schools. The Gender Affairs will also partner with other departments and associations during the 16 Days, including an open day with the Legal Aid Office on November 27 and an open day with the AIDS Secretariat.

November 25 was officially adopted as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women by the United Nations in 1999 since all forms of violence against women is a human rights issue and any act of perpetrating violence against women is a Human rights violation.