Youth ambassadors urge education to tackle violence against women

Barbados’ new CARICOM Youth Ambassadors have marked the start of their 2025–2027 term with a call for stronger education and community action to combat gender-based violence and promote women’s rights.

Janae Herbert and Jennifer Burrows urged society to respect women’s rights and take stronger action against gender-based violence on Wednesday – Human Rights Day and the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

Herbert said society needs to be re-educated on the issue.

“When it comes to the approach of ending or minimising gender-based violence, I think that requires an all-sector approach because education is at the root of it, not just systematic education,” she said.

“Even personal education on what constitutes violence and what perpetuates gender-based violence is crucial. There are many narratives that push the wave of gender-based violence, and many societal concepts which need to be deconstructed and reconstructed in terms of how we respect and revere our women.”

The youth ambassador stressed that women are human beings first and must be recognised as equally important participants in societal change.

“I think there needs to be a critical assessment and understanding that women are human beings first and foremost, and equally important in the charter of change,” Herbert said.

Burrows called for education on gender equality from the primary school level and systemic changes within institutions.

“Gender-based violence is a major issue in Barbados, the Caribbean, and the world. We need to educate the population from a young age on different gender roles, the strengths each gender possesses, and the potential that each of us has,” she said.

“Education is one of the main tools we need, starting from primary schools, and we also need to see systemic change in institutions to address the issue effectively.” (LG)