The Office of Gender Affairs is calling for the protection of women and children in observance of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.

Coordinator Tara Sue Morgan said this year’s theme, ‘Orange the World: End Violence Against Women Now’ highlights the violence directed against women that not only causes harm to them but as well as their families. This violence she said has intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms. Morgan stated, “Violence against woman and girls remains devastatingly pervasive and starts alarmingly young based on the new data from the World Health Organization and partners. 

The Cordinator explained that according to the World Health Organization, 1 in 3 women, around 736 million are subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence from a non-partner across their lifetime. This number she said has remained largely unchanged over the past decade.

 “Unlike COVID-19, violence against women cannot be stopped with a vaccine. We can only fight it with sustained efforts by everyone in the BVI to change harmful attitudes, and believes that can affect the safety of our women and girls,” Ms. Morgan added.

Persons in the community who fear that their lives may be in danger are encouraged to contact the police by calling 311 or contact the Social Development Department, Family Support Network at 468-3650 or the Office of Gender Affairs at 468-2234 for psychosocial support.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence begins on November 25 on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls and ends on December 10 on International Human Rights Day.

Notes: Flyer is attached.