Today the Women's Department opened its 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence with its annual March through the city streets. It started off with an opening ceremony and then it was on to the pavement - to bring awareness to those issues women are faced with on a day to day basis. 7news was out at the Basketball Court behind the Complex building on Mahogany Street - where it all started.
Cynthia Williams, Human Development Coordinator
"This is really an opportunity for us to open all the activities for 16 days of activism which we have every year from November 25 - December 10. This year we decided to do it early because November 25 which is the international day for the elimination for violence against women is on a Sunday and so the march and opening ceremonies usually is on a Friday. We wanted to make sure that we have this event and make sure that the public is aware. We usually choose communities where we know may not be open to options to accessing a lot of the services and so several of our partner agencies, schools are here and they are participating coming up with chants, coming up with creative ways of how to really bring the theme of 16 days which is "Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls across the Communities.""
Monica Bodden
"Tell us the importance of this 16 days?"
Cynthia Williams, Human Development Coordinator
"It's very important because it really re-strengthens and allows for everybody to really re-commit their efforts in ending gender based violence. I think it's really important for people to continue the work towards sometimes it may seem that all the work that has been done is not enough, but the changes that occur happens over time and so every time when we have 16 days of activism it's really an opportunity for us to reaffirm our commitment and to call to action other people who might not necessarily be involved currently. For us it's really an opportunity to re-energize ourselves and to say no. We are here for the long haul, we want to be able to have a Belize which is free of violence for women and girls and children."
For the next 16 days activities will be held around the country for women of all ages. The theme for this year's 16 Days of Activism is: "United to End violence against women and children".
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