Table of Contents
SLMDA sounds alarm on St Lucia violence against women, urging urgent reforms.
CASTRIES, Saint Lucia — The St. Lucia Medical & Dental Association (SLMDA) has issued a strongly worded statement condemning the rise in St Lucia violence against women, calling for urgent action from leaders, law enforcement, and citizens. The statement comes amid a wave of brutal attacks, including the broad-daylight murder of a 27-year-old mother of three, which has sparked national outrage.
The association warns against growing desensitization to violent crime and urges citizens to take a stand, highlighting the need for patriotism beyond symbolic gestures. The SLMDA also paid tribute to Keziah Wilson, a nurse fatally shot in 2022, noting that her killers have yet to be brought to justice.
Below is the full text of the SLMDA press release, dated February 24, 2025:
01
of 03Press Release – St. Lucia Medical & Dental Association
Like every Saint Lucian at home and abroad, we have watched in utter horror the incidents of violence against women that have occurred since the beginning of the year. We condemn violence in any form even more vehemently so when the victims are young women in their prime. We as a nation cannot accept a young woman and her family being brutally attacked in their home, we absolutely cannot remain quiet when a 27-year-old mother of three is gunned down in broad daylight. We must stand up against two young women being brutally stabbed resulting in one losing her life.
Fellow citizens, we cannot allow ourselves to become desensitized to these horrific acts. We must demand more of our leaders, our law enforcement officials, our judicial system, and ourselves. If you see something, say something. Pay attention when victims of intimate partner violence seek help. Denounce abuse in all its forms, be it physical, verbal, or psychological. Learn to resolve conflicts without violence.
On the heels of our 46th Independence anniversary, let us all make a concerted effort to take our country back. Patriotism is more than wearing the colors of the flag and saying that you’re a proud Lucian. Patriotism also entails having a vested interest in the development of our nation, being each other’s keepers, ensuring that we leave a better Saint Lucia for the nation’s children.
We take this time to remember our beloved nursing colleague Keziah Wilson, who was fatally shot in November 2022. To date, there have been no arrests, no resolution. We cannot and will not rest until the perpetrators of that crime are brought to justice.
To all the families left behind, we express our most sincere condolences. To our colleagues who so often have to attend to the victims of violent crime; guard your mental health.
To all citizens of Saint Lucia, we say let us not allow the criminals to win. United, we are stronger than they can ever be. Let us rise up against violence in all its forms.
END
02
of 03Call for Action as Crime Crisis Worsens
The SLMDA’s statement comes at a time when Saint Lucia is grappling with rising crime rates and increasing calls for stricter law enforcement measures. The recent spike in femicides and gender-based violence has triggered outrage across the country, with advocacy groups and political figures urging the government to address the crisis with urgency.
The brutal murder of a young mother in broad daylight has intensified fears over safety, particularly for women. Meanwhile, the unsolved case of Keziah Wilson, a nurse gunned down in 2022, remains a grim reminder of the justice system’s perceived shortcomings in solving violent crimes.
Citizens and activists have echoed the SLMDA’s stance, demanding greater accountability from authorities and encouraging community-led initiatives to combat crime. Many argue that law enforcement must act decisively to curb impunity and ensure perpetrators face justice.
03
of 03Rising Pressure on Authorities
Public pressure continues to mount as leaders and activists face backlash for their silence amid the escalating femicide crisis. A recent article titled “St Lucia Femicide Crisis: Leaders Face Backlash Over Silence” highlights the growing frustration over the lack of response from key figures, including Minister for Gender Affairs Virginia Albert-Poyotte, Minister Emma Hippolyte, Senator Lisa Jawahir, Senator Allison Jean, and activist Catherine Sealys.
The article questions the absence of these leaders’ voices during a time when women are being brutally attacked and murdered. It emphasizes that their silence not only betrays the victims and their families but also emboldens perpetrators, sending a message that women’s lives in Saint Lucia are disposable. The report calls for these leaders to take a stand and address the crisis, urging them to fulfill their roles as advocates for women’s rights and safety.
Read the full report here: St Lucia Femicide Crisis: Leaders Face Backlash Over Silence.
With the nation having just celebrated its 46th Independence anniversary, the SLMDA’s call for renewed patriotism and collective action resonates deeply. Many citizens are now asking: How much longer will Saint Lucia tolerate this level of violence before real change happens?
For the latest updates on this and other breaking stories, continue following Unitedpac St. Lucia News.
