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A campaign to raise awareness was launched today with a series of events aimed at educating young people about gender-based violence, its long-term impacts and its cycle. The Love Foundation and its partners, the U.S. Embassy, the Office of the Special Envoy and Angelus Press, are leading the narrative on the importance of breaking the cycle of gender-based violence. In addition, the Foundation’s Executive Director, Deborah Erskine, noted that young people are a key target audience.
Deborah Erskine, Managing Director of the Love Foundation: “By engaging young minds early, we can shape the values of respect and fairness that are essential to building just societies. That is why I am particularly excited about this new collaboration between the Office of the Special Envoy, Angeles Press, the LOVE Foundation, and the U.S. Embassy. Together, we are launching an initiative to integrate information about gender-based violence into every aspect of our education system through workbooks. These workbooks, which will be distributed to students across the country, will be more than just tools for learning math or science. They will convey important messages about the importance of respecting all people, rejecting violence, and standing up against injustice. It will serve as a constant reminder that everyone deserves to live in a world where they are treated with dignity and fairness.”
Kamesh Chivukula, Carsi Grants Manager at the US Embassy, was the keynote speaker at the ceremony. He stressed the importance of educating young people about what gender-based violence is and the consequences of not breaking this vicious cycle. In addition, Chivukula expressed his gratitude for the work that the Love Foundation has done in recent years.
James Chivukula, Carsi Grants Manager and Political Officer: “The thing is, you know, it’s easy for us to think of gender-based violence in Belize, and you know, yes, we see the statistics, but the truth is it’s everywhere. It’s in the United States, it’s in all 50 states and territories. It’s something we all have to work to improve. It’s reported that one in three women, one in three women experience sexual or physical violence, and often it’s perpetrated by an intimate partner. That’s really, really alarming, and it’s time to change. While gender-based violence directly affects women and girls, as Deborah pointed out earlier, it’s actually a societal issue. It affects everyone. This truly global scourge that has armaged women and girls for thousands of years must stop, and it must stop now. One of the tools to help stop this scourge is public awareness. Growing knowledge can lead governments and civil society organizations to more successful interventions, allocate resources, change legislation, and ultimately help create a more informed and compassionate society that proactively addresses and prevents gender-based violence.”
Today’s launch event saw the unveiling of a new workbook cover. The cover, which is being printed in a print run of four thousand copies, features a message about gender-based violence on the inside. John Gillett, Director of Operations at Angelus Press, expressed his delight to be part of this collaboration and said this initiative is very important. Meanwhile, Special Envoy Rossana Briceno noted that her office was the first to purchase the cover, which will be donated to the Episcopal School.
Her Excellency Ms. Rosana Briceño, Special Envoy of Belize: “These notebooks, which will soon be in the hands of students across the country, are more than just educational tools, as Ms. Sewell said. They are a powerful reminder of the reality that many of us, especially women and girls, face every day. Gender-based violence is a pervasive problem that impacts lives, breaks down families, and devastates communities. Yet, it often goes unnoticed, hidden in a shadow of shame, silence, and fear. By putting this information directly into the hands of students, we are taking a bold step towards making gender-based violence visible. These notebooks are more than just for taking notes. They are designed to spark conversations, raise awareness, and encourage action. Contained within the cover, as Ms. Debbie has just shown us, are facts, information, and resources that will educate and empower our young people to recognize the signs of gender-based violence and understand that no form of violence should be considered normal.”
Printing these books is the first in a series of activities. Each workbook will be sold at Angelus Press for $1.25. From the proceeds, 25 cents will be donated to the Office of the Special Envoy to assist in its work to combat gender-based violence.
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