#BTSpeakingOut – Tackling domestic violence

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, a compendium of terms and constructs used in implementation research, defines change agents as: “Individuals who formally influence or facilitate intervention decisions in a desirable direction”. It is within this framework that The Caribbean Voice (TCV) is launching Project Change Agents (PCA) to tackle domestic violence specifically and violence in general in the Caribbean.

The project aims to involve schools, ministries of education, the media and other stakeholders in a process that will hopefully result in young people been identified and trained to become anti-violence change agents in communities across the English-speaking Caribbean (all 17 nations), with special focus on domestic violence but also with skills sets to address sexual abuse, child abuse and hopefully substance abuse.

At the crux of the project is an essay contest on the topic What Would You Do To Eliminate Domestic Violence?  for fourth to sixth form students (ages 15 to 18) in all English-speaking Caribbean nations during the 2023/24 school year.

However, the plan is to secure the support of ministries of education in these nations with respect to getting domestic violence on the curricula for the 2023/24 school year enabling students to engage in research, including  primary research within their communities.

This will provide sensitization and the information they will use to write their essays during the 2023/24 school year.

TCV will provide prizes for regional winners as follows:

First prize: US$3,000 plus a certificate and a plaque

Second Prize: US$2000 plus a certificate and a plaque

Third Prize: US$1000 plus a certificate and a plaque

TCV is also hoping that the top three winners in each nation will be awarded prizes and towards this end have organized a Fundraising Virtual Concert of Hope, another  in its ongoing series of such concerts that bring performers from across the Caribbean and Diaspora to showcase the variety of Caribbean cultural output.

This concert is set for Saturday November 26, 6-9PM (New York City time)and would be aired live on Facebook. Persons are urged to log on to TCV’s FB page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/245209622345879 and feast on this cultural banquet, while, if possible, make a donation towards Project Change Agent.

This concert has a lineup of 33 performers and four hosts with new items such as Limbo, Masquerade and Amerindian dancing, along with items as in previous concerts such as steel pan, Chinese dancing and a host of chutney, Bollywood oldies, reggae, soca, R&B, spoken word performances, tassa drumming, African drumming, folk songs and so on. Among the stars performing are:

• Dominican star Li Li Octave.

• Trinidad & Tobago chutney sensations, Kenneth Sallick, Natty Ramotar and Anthony Batson.

• Guyanese stars Terry Gajraj, Roger Hinds and Satish Udairam.

• Social and women’s empowerment activist,  wrietr and spoken word artiste Taij Moteelall.

• International dancer Zaman along with the award winning Golden Om Dharmic Youth Dance Troupe and Shivani Sharma of the US.

• Barbadian born steel pan virtuoso, Terry ‘Mexican’ Arthur,

• Internationally acclaimed The Jamaican Folk Singers

• Guyanese American exemplars of Bollywood tunes, Son Son Sonipersaud and Dev Persaud.

The Caribbean Voice is engaged in suicide and abuse prevention across the Caribbean and Diaspora and utilizes a range of free services and initiatives including research and info dissemination via a website and eight social media accounts, sensitization, prevention training, counseling, advocacy, networking and collaboration building, online panel discussions, outreaches, and an online quarterly magazine.

In addition to Project Change Agents, TCV is also organizing the relaunch of the global Caribbean Voice Awards in the form of a gala that also includes a cultural component and a banquet.

To mark 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (November 25 to December 10), TCV is organizing a virtual workshop on prevention of Youth Relationship Violence on December 3, 1 to 3PM, New York City time.

The workshop will be presented by US based NGO, Proverb Peace, led by transformational life strategist and empowerment coach, Dr. Brenetia Adams-Robinson. Those interested in participating should send an email to caribvoice@aol.com or what’s app 646-461-0574. Also,

Also, on December 9, 6-8PM, TCV will also hold a virtual panel discussion (PD) on Safety and Resiliency for victims and survivors. Panelists are invited to participate in this PD. Please contact TCV via email (caribvoice@aol.com) or mobile/what’s app at 646-461-0574 to affirm participation.
– Annan Boodram