Tuesday
Apr132010

Airing Dirty Laundry?

THE VOICE ST. LUCIA

Article by: Stan Bishop

(Photo) Taj Weekes joins women in their stance against gender-based violence last Tuesday.There were more tee shirts with messages against domestic violence than there were people willing to show solidarity for the cause. But organizers say last Tuesday's activity at the Derek Walcott Square is nonetheless a serious one.

The activity was the culmination of a programme of activities in observance of International Women's Day, celebrated on March 8. Dubbed the "Clothesline Project," the focus was to sensitize the general public about gender-based violence, especially in cases where women and girls are the primary targets. St. Lucia-born international musician Taj Weekes, one of the collaborators on the project, spoke to The VOICE on the new concept.

"In the Caribbean, domestic violence is the sort of thing that is hidden under the table," Weekes said. "So this is merely a way of starting a conversation in an effort to bring it out in the open. Hopefully, we can keep talking about it and move toward a direction where it's an open thing and people are not afraid to say they're being abused."

Weekes said he adopted the idea for the initiative from the U.S. where he currently resides. In fact, he has his own "Traveling Exhibition," and has showcased it in two arenas so far – Massachusetts and St. Lucia. He said the idea is a staple in most of the American states.

Members of the public had the opportunity to paint whatever anti-violence messages they wanted on the tee shirts supplied by Weekes and the Department of Gender Relations. The tee shirts were then hung to dry on clotheslines in the Square, depicting the obvious symbolism of not letting some of society's dirtiest little secrets go unnoticed.

Weekes said the tee shirts from both camps will be on display again in November when Domestic Abuse Month will be observed. In the interim, though, he will be displaying - and building up - his collection of tee shirts in several islands across the region to raise awareness on the scourge of domestic violence and its negative impact on society.

Louise Victor, general secretary of the National Youth Council, was one of the many speakers at Tuesday's public rally. She believes the activity is just one small step that can lead to eradicating a giant common problem.

Other speakers on the day included Anthony Avril of the St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association, Valerie Albert-Poyotte of Education International, Charms Gaspard of the Department of Gender Relations, Minister of Home Affairs and National Security, Guy Mayers, and Taj Weekes. Calypsonian Lady Leen closed the proceedings with a rendition of her "woman power" anthem, "Woman In A March."

DateTuesday, April 13, 2010 at 10:13AM | | | Print ArticlePrint Article
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Tuesday
Apr132010

St. Lucia's Dirty Little Secrets Hung Out To Dry

ST. LUCIA STAR

Article by: Kayra Williams

Security minister Guy Mayers (center) told the audience that respect was key to curbing abuse.Anyone passing near the Derek Walcott Square on Tuesday, March 30 would have likely had to do a double take to ensure what they thought they saw matched up to what was happening in reality. At a first glance, it looked as if women were hanging up freshly washed laundry inside the Square, rather than in their own back yards.

Those who had the time dropped in, simply to inquire about what was going on, having not heard about the project through various advertising mediums. They were ushered into the venue with relaxing Reggae tunes adding a spring to their step, and quickly learned that the proceedings were all part of the ongoing Clothesline Project.

The event was presented by the Division of Gender Relations in collaboration with TOCO-They Often Cry Outreach, the Crisis Centre and HTS/Radio 100 and culminated International Women’s Day activities on the island.

The idea of hanging clothes, in this instance, freshly painted, or previously painted t-shirts was an attempt to raise awareness of domestic violence. An exploration through the carefully arranged clothing lines would find that each shirt had been painted by regular women who just wished to tell their story. In some cases the "artists" had been victims themselves, and wrote in an effort to get their stories out there, hoping that it would help other victims of abuse realize they were not alone. At the same time they hoped it would help them finally let go of the pain of their own experiences.

National archivist Margot Thomas's shirt read: "It only takes one to stop the violence, let it be you!" Other carefully designed shirts spoke for themselves, "Love doesn't hurt, Love is beautiful," "Mad, very angry at the person," and "Please, don't forget I survived."

By hanging a shirt and walking away, it is felt that a woman can in a sense leave an ugly part of her past behind, and move on. The project was started by various women's groups in Cape Cod, Massachusetts in the United States in an effort to create a program that would "educate, break the silence and bear witness to one issue—violence against women."

Tuesday's event intended to draw in members of the public who wished to express solidarity with victims of domestic abuse.

"Stamp your disapproval of this abhorrent behaviour, encourage the youth to make a difference, to break the cycle," the message rang out through the sound system.

National Archivist Margot Thomas joined the project on the Square on Tuesday.There was no short supply of women—and men, wanting to add their stories to the project and sign shirts. From 12:30 pm curious onlookers showed their disapproval of gender violence by adding their shirts to the already abundant collection. The t-shirts were also meant to serve as an educational tool for guests to the event.

The display dates of the Clothesline Project typically coincide with months calling attention to violence. Presently, there are around 500 similar projects internationally with an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 t-shirts.

Tuesday's event offered a poetry recital by Marcel Johnson, entitled, "Deflowered and Still Bleeding," and Calypsonian Lady Lyn's anthem, "Women in March." There were also solidarity messages from various organizations including the St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association, the International Men's Network, FAITH, Education International, the International Women's Support Center, the Crisis Centre, as well as remarks from Andrea Bourne representing the St. Lucia Labour Party and St. Lucia's Commerce Minister Guy Mayers.

Mayers left the gathering with the message that change started with one person. "Respect the rights of each other... love your spouses and take care of the children," he said. In his words doing that would lead to a more peaceful and friendly society. "Be part of the solution, not the problem."

DateTuesday, April 13, 2010 at 09:35AM | | | Print ArticlePrint Article
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Monday
Jan112010

Fighting Diabetes With Facts

 THE VOICE ST. LUCIA

 A 2.5% reduction in the complications of diabetes over the next six months is the ambitious goal of a recently held workshop for diabetics. The workshop armed diabetics, their caregivers and family with information both preventative and curative to help achieve that aim.

Diabetes and hypertension are of great concern to the Health Team of Region Two, Babonneau and surrounding areas, who regularly deal with patients suffering the unnecessary health issues brought on by complications from these diseases. The Region Two team, led by Nurse Mary Joseph Charlery, organised the one-day session to educate concerned residents on how to manage the disease, prevent complications, and help improve the quality of life of diabetics.

Assistance was provided by the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), which has a mandate to empower communities. The BNTF currently operates as part of the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF). The Diabetic and Hypertensive Association and the Taj Weeks Foundation [They Often Cry Outreach], also provided materials for the workshop. These include diabetic shoes and kits.

Residents were delighted with the tone of the workshop, which they said clarified much of the confusing litany of information about diabetes and hypertension. Nutrition, foot care, medication, exercise, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections were among the issues addressed. Podiatrist Deborah Charles, nutrition officer Linda Philgence, pharmacist Richard Chung and fitness instructor Jerome Gideon comprised the comprehensive panel of facilitators.

Diabetes still ranks as one of the top three leading causes of death in Saint Lucia, with serious complications ranging from heart disease, blindness, strokes and kidney failure to amputations and skin problems. Saint Lucia continues to see increases in diabetes and hypertension and these non-communicable diseases are among the top consumers of health care dollars. The Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF), which is an amalgamation of the Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF) and the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF). SSDF is funded by regional and international agencies.

DateMonday, January 11, 2010 at 07:28PM | | | Print ArticlePrint Article
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