Honouring Victims, Supporting Survivors, Raising Awareness

Project Calls for Action on Gender-based Violence

Violence against women is not merely a statistic; it is a pervasive global issue that disrupts the lives of countless women and girls and places a heavy burden on communities. To mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (from 25 November to 10 December), The Red Shoes Project, displayed at nine locations across Barbados acknowledges the harsh reality and lasting impact of gender-based violence, while supporting survivors.

The nine locations identified – mainly public spaces around Barbados – will display red-painted shoes representing women lost to femicide (gender-related killings of women and girls) and other forms of violence. Each empty pair of shoes symbolizes a life cut short, a voice silenced, a future taken away. The shoes also stand as a symbol of love and unity, a testament to the strength and resilience of the women who continue to fight for their lives and their rights and a call for all of us to stand with them in solidarity and to take action to end violence against women. First conceptualized by Mexican artist, Elina Chauvet, the Red Shoes Project challenges us to recognize that change can only happen when we stop dismissing gender-based violence as someone else’s private problem.

The European Union is coordinating the art installation, undertaken as acollective action in partnership with Bureau of Gender Affairs of the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, the National Cultural Foundation, the Institute of Gender and Development Studies (University of the West Indies), the Barbados Community College, UN Women Caribbean and the diplomatic missions of Argentina, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Worldwide, one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence. In the Caribbean, one in two women have experienced at least one form of gender-based violence in their lifetime and the region faces some of the highest femicide rates globally. Gender-based violence is an egregious human rights violation. More than just an exhibition, the Red Shoes Project prompts each of us to consider our role in addressing this human rights issue and to pledge to create a future where women and girls are no longer at risk. Governments, communities, and individuals must look beyond the display and ask: How can we ensure that these shoes become a relic of the past rather than a reflection of our present?

When?

During the 16 Days of Activism, from 25 November until 10 December. 

Where?

25 November to 10 December: exhibit of the Red Shoes Project at the following locations (open to the public): 

• The European Union Delegation 
• The Barbados Community College 
• The British High Commission
• The Bureau of Gender Affairs
• The Embassy of Argentina
• The High Commission of Canada 
• The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus
• The US Embassy
• UN Women

Further information for the public:

• Shoe Donations: For members of the public who wish to donate shoes, we are still accepting donations. Donated shoes need to be used, women’s shoes of any style or colour and can be dropped off:
  • on Friday, November 15, at The UWI, between 14:00 and 16:00, on the guild lawn (opposite the cricket field)
  • every day until Friday, November 22, between 9:00 and 15:00 at the Institute for Gender and Development Studies: Nita Barrow Unit (UWI).
• 7 December: A one-day exhibit will take place in Golden Square on Saturday, December 7, open to the public and press. ( PR )

As Barbados prepares to mark its 58th Anniversary of Independence on November 30, plans are well under way for one of the main events on the month-long calendar of celebrations, the National Thanksgiving Service.

Themed ‘Stronger Together with Peace, Love and Unity’, the service will take place on Sunday, November 24, at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, Wildey, St. Michael, beginning at 10:00 a.m. It will be attended by Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, members of Cabinet and other dignitaries. Members of the public are also invited to attend.

During a press briefing on Thursday at the Warrens Office Complex, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, Marva Howell, said that her ministry was hosting the National Thanksgiving Service in conjunction with the religious community, both Christian and multi faith.

In her remarks, Chairman of the service’s National Organising Committee, Senator Patricia Parris, expressed her excitement for the upcoming event, saying that Barbados has much to celebrate.

“There’s so much to celebrate in this country. So, we’ve got to be there, to be part of the celebration with the theme: ‘Stronger Together with Peace, Love and Unity’. A lot of planning has gone into the service so you too can be there.

 “One thing I would like to also highlight is that we will be having greetings and congratulatory messages before the service starts from the diaspora and religious leaders, so we will be streaming the service online,” she shared.

Senator Parris also reminded those in attendance that the service was open to all members of the public and tickets were not required for entry. She added that the necessary arrangements would be made for parking to ensure the steady flow of traffic.

The officiant of this year’s service will be Pastor of Second Chance Ministries, Dr. Winston Clarke. In his remarks, Dr. Clarke stated that the organisers were expecting ‘a bumper crowd’ and urged members of the public to turn out in their numbers.

“We are soliciting the support of all of our [church] leaders. We’re asking you to turn out in your numbers. Let us celebrate. Let us give God thanks for having brought us to another year. Let us come together as a people in keeping with the theme which speaks to being together and expounding the virtues of peace and love together,” he affirmed.

While Dr. Clarke will be the officiant, the Bishop of Barbados and Bishop of the Anglican Diocese, the Right Reverend Michael Maxwell, will deliver the sermon.

Assistant Director of Music with The Barbados Police Service (TBPS) Band, Superintendent Anderson Whitehall, said that the musical package being prepared by TBPS promises to be entertaining.

“We will have a pre-service with the Police Band and the audience. I will engage the audience in a singalong … believe you me, we will have the audience clapping… We will enjoy ourselves in that area before the service starts, then we have various soloists performing during that time,” he revealed.

Superintendent Whitehall said that the audience could expect song favourites such as ‘Goodness of God’, ‘He’ll do it Again’, ‘God and God Alone’, ‘Jump Up If You Love Him’ by local gospel band Promise, as well as a revival gospel medley. 

He also disclosed that TBPS Band would accompany a 70-voice choir comprising schools and choirs from around the country, which is expected to serenade the audience with hymns, including a special rendition of the song ‘People Need the Lord’.

Faith leaders from the Muslim, Seventh-Day Adventist, Salvation Army, Jewish, Baha’i and Christian communities, as well as members of the disabled community, will celebrate and participate in this year’s National Thanksgiving Service. Seating for those attending the service will begin at 9:15 a.m., with a prompt start expected at 10:00 a.m. (PR/GIS)

Barbadians in the diaspora are encouraged to Come ’Long Home for the food, the rich cultural heritage, liming with friends and family, and rekindling the community spirit across Barbados as Government prepares to host We Gatherin’ 2025.

Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, will lead the coordination and oversight of the activities; Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, will provide overall strategic direction for the celebrations. A secretariat has been created and is being led by Senator John King.

Billed as an event to inspire national pride in all Barbadians and to stimulate economic growth by way of investments and other inputs, the year-long celebrations offer Barbadians an opportunity to get involved in investment opportunities and to highlight the icons, heritage, social activities, and cuisine synonymous with each parish.

It is expected that We Gatherin’ would promote philanthropy and fuel environmental sustainability as Government seeks to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Goals 2030 agenda.

The event is being seen as extra special as the island will celebrate its fourth year as a Parliamentary Republic and commemorate the 400th anniversary of the British landing in 1625. Barbados will also host CARIFESTA later in the year.

Activities will begin in St. Lucy under the broad theme of ‘Faith’ and attendees are encouraged to wear jade to all celebrations. The activities will then move to St. Peter in February with ‘Heritage’ as the theme and lime green as the preferred colour.

During March, events in St. Thomas will centre around the theme ‘Nature’ and cardinal will be the chosen colour. For St. Joseph, the theme for April is ‘Adventure’, and the colour of choice is sky blue.

In May, ‘Community’ will be the centre of attention for residents living in St John when the celebrations roll into the parish under a blaze of yellow.   It will be the turn of St. George in June when the activities will be held under the theme ‘The Land’ and red will be the colour of choice for patrons.

Barbados’ rich story of sugar will come into sharp focus in July, as residents of St. Philip pay homage to its history bedecked in purple as the colour chosen for that month.

St. Andrew, St. James, Christ Church, and St. Michael will hold their celebrations during August, September, October, and November, respectively. They will be held under the themes ‘The Arts’, ‘Cricket’, ‘The Sea’, ‘Food and Feting’. The parish colours are forest green, electric blue, orange, and white, respectively.

We Gatherin’ 2025 will culminate in nationwide celebrations from November 30 to December 31, utilising all parish colours.             

Government launched the first We Gatherin’ celebrations on January 1, 2020, which ended prematurely in March, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.