“Violence in all its forms must come to an end,” said Dr Sue-Ann Barratt, Head of the IGDS, in a statement to the news media in September 2022. “We at the IGDS/UWI call on the national community to reflect on the far-reaching consequences of the diverse forms of violence we often deem as societal norms.”
In the closing months of 2022, UWI St Augustine engaged in 16 Days of Activism against one of those forms of violence – gender-based violence (GBV). Campus activities were driven by the IGDS in collaboration with the Division of Student Services and Development (DSSD) and the Guild of Students.
These activities included:
The launch of a partnership with the Bankers’ Association of Trinidad and Tobago and of the IGDS Bilingual Toolkit for Break the Silence, as well as the introduction of the Oversight Committee for Next Phase Research and Advocacy.
A panel discussion, display of victim/survivor stories, and an NGO village at the Daaga Auditorium. The panel discussion culminated with a candlelight silent walk on campus in partnership with the Division of Student Services and Development (DSSD).
A Student Guild initiative to share anonymous stories and content on t-shirts hung on clotheslines at the Student Activity Centre, the Halls of residence, as well as on social media.
Staff, students and alumni artwork to make statements to end sexual harassment and sexual violence.
The UWI St Augustine 16 days of Activism ran from November 25 to December 10. 16 Days of Activism is a targeted advocacy initiative that began in 1991 at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute.
