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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Caribbean News
Seven marches in seven Caribbean countries will bring hundreds of people together to break silence on sexual violence on Saturday, March 11. Hollaback! Bahamas, powered by Equality Bahamas, is the organizer of the march taking place in Nassau, Bahamas at 2pm. The march will start from the Potter’s Cay parking lot west of the Paradise Island bridge at 2pm and end at The Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts grounds. Participants are invited to stay on the grounds for the Tiny Talk Speaker Series and Expo which will include a story-sharing section, yoga, condom demonstrations, and art therapy workshops. Several organizations — including Bahamas Crisis Centre, The Family: People Helping People, Bahamas Sexual Health & Rights Association, and Cosmosis Institute — will make a variety of services and information available on-site. “We’re focusing on the power of story-sharing, creating a safe space for dialogue, and working toward the healing of survivors. There will be a wealth of resources in one space, and we invite women and girls to access and engage with them,” said Alicia Wallace, Director of Hollaback! Bahamas. Organized by Life In Leggings: Caribbean Alliance Against Gender-based Violence, this event comes on the heels of the #LifeInLeggings movement on social media. Started in Barbados, the hashtag got the attention of women throughout the region who shared their stories of sexual violence. Reclaim Our Streets supports survivors of sexual violence, calls on authorities to address the issue with legislation, policy, and programming, and provides the general public with tools to take action. Founder Ronelle King said, “It’s important that we come together and pledge to end violence against women and girls. Let us look toward the future and make necessary societal changes that begin with ourselves and those around us so that the women and girls yet to come never have to experience what we have. Let us unite the Caribbean to change the statistic from 1 in 3 to none in 3.” Hollaback! Bahamas invites offices, service organizations, church groups, and families to take to the streets in solidarity with women and girls in The Bahamas and the Caribbean who have experienced sexual violence and join in the call for justice, support, and an end to gender-based violence. Equality Bahamas Partnership Coordinator Lisa Lawlor-Feller said, “It’s encouraging to see so many organizations and individuals coming together in a regional movement for gender equality. I’m looking forward to the day’s events and helping to sustain the conversations actions they spark within our community.” The event will be hosted by Media Personality and TV Talk Show Host Leslie Lezz Boogie with music provided by DJ Ampero. Hollaback! Bahamas and Equality Bahamas extend an invitation to members of the public to participate in the afternoon events. Limited space is available in the speaker series and expo. Organizations, experts, and practitioners may express interest via email to bahamas@ihollaback.org.
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