Three important occasions highlighted

A special service was held at St. Mary’s Church yesterday at which three important occasions were recognised – International Men’s Day, Universal Children’s Day and also the launch of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence in society.

 

Speaking at the event, Ms. Patricia Boyce from the Bureau of Gender Affairs gave brief remarks during the service expressing her appreciation on behalf of the Bureau to those who attended the International Men’s Day celebrations on Saturday. 

 

She added that November 20 is recognised as Universal Children’s Day, as it was on this date in 1954 that it was established and it was also on this date in 1989 when the United Nations Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of A Child. On behalf of the Bureau, Ms. Boyce assured that the department will continue to fufill its commitment to the articles of the Convention and to the children. 

 

She further took the opportunity to highlight the period of November 26-December 10, which is the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence. She said gender-based violence can affect any society and modern technology has created new ways of inflicting violent acts such as cyber bullying, intimidation and harassment. As a result of this, efforts have been made to amend the legislature (the Domestic Violence Protection Act) to include persistently contacting the victim by any means, inclusive of  emails and text messaging. 

 

She ended her remarks with an appeal to the audience to “keep up the fight” and work together to stop gender-based violence. 

 

Earlier in the service during his sermon, Reverend Graveney Bannister focused on what it means to be a man in Barbados. He said it is about engaging in conversation about men’s rights and highlighting the men who are making a positive impact in society.  

 

“Being a man in 2016, it is about making a difference in our work,…in our communities, it is about enjoying life, it is about learning…always making a fundamental difference,” said Reverend Bannister. (KB)