UWP’s Orange Ribbon Campaign Leads Efforts to Address Gender Violence During 16 Days of Activism St Lucia
Castries, St Lucia —The United Workers Party (UWP) has joined women in St Lucia and worldwide in supporting the 16 Days of Activism St Lucia, a global initiative against gender-based violence. Spearheaded by UN Women, the campaign aims to raise awareness, challenge discriminatory practices, and push for stronger laws to protect women from violence. The UWP’s active participation underscores its solidarity with efforts to end gender-based violence both locally and globally.
In a press release dated November 25, 2024, the United Workers Party (UWP) reiterated its commitment to the 16 Days of Activism St Lucia, which runs from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 to International Human Rights Day on December 10. This year’s theme, “Time to Act Now,” emphasizes the urgency of addressing gender violence with immediate and sustained actions across all sectors of society.
Highlighting their local efforts, the UWP Women’s Arm has launched an Orange Ribbon campaign to symbolize solidarity with survivors and victims of gender-based violence. Supporters are encouraged to wear orange and display orange ribbons on their vehicles throughout the 16-day period. Internationally recognized as a color of optimism and human rights protests, orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls.
In its statement, the UWP emphasized several pressing issues affecting St Lucian women, bringing attention to unresolved cases of violence, systemic challenges, and economic pressures:
- Female Vendors in Castries: The UWP denounced what it described as “open repression and victimization” against female vendors in the city.
- Domestic Violence: The party highlighted the persistence of gender-based domestic violence as a critical concern.
- Unresolved Murder of Kimberly Williams De Leon: The party pointed to the unresolved 2018 murder of Kimberly Williams De Leon, a mother of two, as an emblematic case of delayed justice.
- Workplace Harassment: Allegations of sexual misconduct involving Deputy Commissioner of Police Ronald Phillip were noted, especially with recent revelations of missing case files.
- Chakadan Daniel Case: The UWP highlighted the unresolved death of Chakadan Daniel, whose killing by police was ruled unlawful in 2015, leaving his mother, Frances Daniel, without justice.
- Economic Pressures: The party emphasized the impact of high food prices on single mothers and female-headed households, exacerbating social inequalities.
The UWP also called on the three female members of the Cabinet — Hon. Emma Hippolyte, Hon. Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte, and Hon. Dr. Pauline Antoine-Prospere — to take a stand on these issues and speak out on behalf of St Lucian women. The party expressed disappointment at the perceived silence of certain activists who have previously championed women’s causes.
Vice President of the UWP Women’s Arm, Laura Jn. Pierre-Noel, affirmed the party’s dedication to advancing women’s welfare through policy reforms. She stated that a return to government would see the UWP implementing comprehensive measures to safeguard women from abuse and support their social and economic advancement.
As the 16 Days of Activism St Lucia continues, the UWP calls on citizens, organizations, and policymakers to reflect on the challenges faced by St Lucian women and take tangible steps toward lasting change.
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