Local

Calls For Conversations On Gender Issues

A call has been made for “modern Barbados” to have a conversation about gender, and put things learnt through the island’s colonial legacy to rest.

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, made this call as he addressed the opening ceremony for the Livity Project Policy Forum on Inclusive Approaches to Justice at the Hilton Barbados Resort, this morning.

Reflecting on Barbados’ history, Mr. Humphrey said: “Our own journey on plantations and the definitions given to us about gender, what it meant to be a man, to be able to produce and produce; what it meant to be a woman, to be able to bear and bear more children and more children; and that at some point these things have to be renegotiated.

“That we need to have a conversation now in a modern Barbados about what it means to be a man, what it means to be a woman, what it means to really be a decent human being at the end of the day,” he said.

He added this meant that at some point Barbados was going to have very challenging conversations.

These, he said, should also extend to persons with disabilities and the elderly. “That we have not created a space for persons with disabilities is very perplexing to me. The vast majority of us will be over 50 in the next few years, and we have not made a space,” he stated.

The Minister charged that “at the end of the day” it was important to ensure that everyone was part of the development process to allow them to make a contribution and reap the benefits.

“This country must be able to recognise people in all their diversity and for us to be able to serve those people because they are people,” he said.

Mr. Humphrey also called on persons “to look at the world as it has evolved and apply rational thought to determine if we need to keep the trajectory, or if we should change it, considering how the world has changed. It is a question we all need to quantificate on at some point in time”.

Head of Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, explained that the Livity Project started in 2018 to give a voice to the daily struggles of marginalised citizens in the Caribbean.

Those, she said, included members of the LGBTQ+ community, the disabled and the elderly. She added that the project was dedicated to inclusive approaches to justice, with the understanding that access to justice was a basic human right.

President of the Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD), Kerryann Ifill, noted that the two-day event was the final policy forum for the Livity Project. She said the BCD applauded the champions of the project, and thanked them for their work and contributions over the years

Local

EBC Officers Conducting Verification Of Addresses Exercise

The public is advised that Registering Officers from the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) are in the field conducting a verification exercise to confirm the address of each registrant. This activity is in accordance with the Representation of the People Act Cap 12, Section 12.

EBC Registering Officers will be wearing the department’s branded T-shirts with the official ID prominently displayed as they visit residents in districts across the island.

Householders are encouraged to cooperate with the Registering Officers and secure their pets or animals during the visit. (PR/GIS)

Local

Police Service Tips For A Safe Bank Holiday Weekend

As persons prepare to attend various events over this extended weekend, Crime Prevention Officer with The Barbados Police Service, Inspector Roger Babb, is encouraging them to “stay in control” as they enjoy themselves.

Inspector Babb reminds members of the public that drinking alcohol impairs their ability to make good decisions, and drinking and driving may result in accidents that can be fatal.

The Crime Prevention Officer shared these useful tips:

Do not feel pressured to drink alcohol; it is okay to say no.
Do not drink and drive, always have a sober designated driver.
If you drink, do so in moderation and never leave your drink unattended.
Do not let anyone bring a drink for you.
To avoid having your drinks spiked, buy your own drinks, and watch the bartender make or open them.
If you think your drink was tampered with, let someone know and seek medical attention.
Be cautious with strangers and do not accept drinks from them.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Never mix alcohol with other drugs.
PR/GIS

Local

SANDALS BARBADOS RECEIVES (CARPHA) AWARD

Sandals Barbados is the proud recipient of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Healthier Safer Tourism (HST) award.

The presentation was made recently at the Ministry of Health and Wellness office located in the Frank Walcott Building, St. Michael, Barbados.

Accepting the award for the Luxury Included Resort was General Manager Bruno Couesnon.

In his brief remarks Couesnon thanked every one of the team members who contributed to the resort’s recent accolade.

“It’s always nice to win awards; but it takes a team effort to achieve the results for which we are being recognized, today. The health and safety of our guests and team members are important to us and it is great to be selected and celebrated by CARPHA for doing our part and succeeding,” said Couesnon.

Executive Director of CARPHA Dr. Lisa Indar commended the hotel for achieving this internationally recognized award and praised its commitment to health and safety procedures.

“The 2019 Covid pandemic led to global shut down of tourism but it also demonstrated the resilience of the Caribbean by being able to bounce back. Part of that bouncing back was to be able to create a healthier and safer tourism experience and the reason you are here today is by being part of the tourism health programme and implementing proactive measures,” said Dr. Indar.

Some of the benefits of this award include being regionally and internationally recognized for healthier safer tourism endorsed by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO); the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The award is the only traveler’s health award where compliance is assessed – it is measurable and verifiable, ensuring the safety of the tourist facility, staff and guests. It also gives a comparative, marketing advantage and gives value to the quality of service.(PR)

CAPTION: Sandals Barbados General Manager General Manager Bruno Couesnon (L) accepting the CARPHA award from Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George