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Empowering Girls and Ending Gender-Based Violence: Virgin Islands March for Change
Non-profit organisations and community members will unite on 9th December for a march dedicated to girl empowerment and the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV), in a collective effort to build a just and equitable Virgin Islands.
The March is scheduled for Saturday, 9th December, at 1 pm, commencing at the Noel Lloyd Positive Movement Action Park. The route will take participants through Admin Drive, Round About, High School, Police, Sports Complex, highway, and back to Noel Lloyd Park, concluding with a short and impactful programme.
Recognising the pervasive global issue of GBV, the event aims to raise awareness and foster a community committed to championing the rights of girls and young women.
“Girl empowerment and the eradication of gender-based violence are not just goals; they are the cornerstones of creating a society that respects and values every individual,” states Jane Doe, a representative of Girl UP, one of the participating organisations.
GBV remains a pervasive global issue, with staggering statistics underscoring its disproportionate impact on girls and women.
“It’s alarming to note that one in three women worldwide has experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime,” remarks John Smith, a community activist. “This march is a collective call to address these challenges head-on.”
Girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual harassment and exploitation, leading to devastating consequences that extend beyond physical harm. “These acts of violence hinder girls’ education, employment opportunities, and overall well-being,” explains Dr. Emily Johnson, a psychologist specialising in trauma. “Empowering girls is not just a moral imperative; it is a critical step towards breaking the cycle of GBV.”
Recognising the need for a community-wide effort, various organisations, including FeMALE, WINBVI, Unite BVI, and Zonta, stress the importance of collaboration. “Creating a culture of respect and gender equality requires the active involvement of the entire community,” says Mark Anderson of Zonta. “We all have a role to play – governments, the private sector, non-profit organisations, and individuals.”
The keynote speaker at the march, Ms. Ronelle King, an award-winning Gender Justice activist from Barbados, adds a powerful voice to the cause. “I am honoured to be part of this movement that strives to make lasting change,” King expresses. “Addressing gender-based violence is not just about raising awareness; it’s about creating tangible solutions and safe spaces for survivors.”
Ms. King, founder of Life in Leggins, a Caribbean Alliance against gender-based violence, and Pink Parliament, an initiative encouraging women and girls to pursue careers in politics, will be in the territory from 7th to 10th December.
The community is encouraged to participate in various events, including school visits on 8th December, to collectively stand against GBV and promote girl empowerment.
Soaring electricity bills, rising fuel prices and increasing import costs are placing growing pressure on households and businesses across the British Virgin Islands, prompting Claude Skelton Cline to warn during his Honestly Speaking radio program on May 19 that the territory should prepare for more difficult economic conditions and consider whether emergency measures may be needed to ease the burden.
Speaking on ZBVI Radio, Skelton Cline said the territory was entering a period of prolonged financial strain and urged residents, businesses and government officials to plan accordingly.
“The most dangerous position to be in right now is to be unprepared,” Skelton Cline said. “This thing is only going to intensify.”
Skelton Cline said higher utility costs were affecting nearly every sector of the economy, from households struggling to pay monthly bills to businesses facing decisions about staffing and operating expenses.
“These monthly utility bills are so exorbitant,” he said. “There is a domino effect of whether you can keep the same amount of staff.”
He questioned whether the government should consider using reserve funds and other measures to help stabilize fuel prices and provide relief to consumers.
“At what point does any of that trigger that creates a national state of emergency in this country?” Skelton Cline asked.
Skelton Cline noted that the territory has reserve funds and argued that policymakers should examine whether some of those resources could be used to reduce the impact of rising costs.
“There’s no reason why we should not be locking in fuel prices,” he said.
In addition to government action, Skelton Cline encouraged residents to take practical steps to reduce household expenses, including limiting electricity use and unplugging appliances when not in use.
“There are some things that are beyond our control, but there are some things that are within our control,” he said. “We must control those things.”
Skelton Cline said the British Virgin Islands had navigated difficult economic periods before and urged residents not to lose confidence.
“We cannot surrender to our frustration,” he said. “We cannot surrender to our cynicism and our skepticism.”
His comments come as consumers and business owners continue to face higher costs for electricity, fuel and imported goods, increasing concerns about the broader impact on employment, household budgets and the territory’s economy.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards has announced 64 nominees across 13 categories for its 2026 ceremony, recognizing individuals and organizations for contributions in fields including sports, entrepreneurship, media, music, agriculture and public service, founder and executive producer Kareem Nelson Hull said.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards was established to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of the Territory.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is monitoring an outbreak of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius that has resulted in several confirmed cases and three deaths, but Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development, and Dr. Ronald Georges, Chief Medical Officer, said Monday that the risk to the Virgin Islands remains low.
The ministry said the reported cases involve passengers and crew aboard the Dutch expedition vessel, which was operating outside the Caribbean region. Health officials said there is no evidence of any cases in the Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Honourable Wheatley said the ministry is working with regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), to monitor the situation and strengthen surveillance systems.
“At this time, the risk to the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, is considered low,” Dr. Georges said. “We are utilizing enhanced surveillance systems and maintaining routine port health inspections and preparedness protocols to ensure the continued protection of public health.”
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease that is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is extremely uncommon.
The ministry said the rodent species typically associated with the virus are not commonly found in Caribbean environments, further reducing the likelihood of local transmission.
Residents are advised to avoid contact with rodents and areas where they may be present, safely clean and disinfect areas contaminated by rodent waste, maintain proper sanitation and waste disposal, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever or respiratory distress.
Early symptoms of hantavirus can resemble the flu but may progress to more serious respiratory complications if not treated promptly.
“We will continue to work closely with regional and international partners to ensure that any potential risks are identified early and managed effectively,” Dr. Georges said. “Protecting the health and safety of our residents remains our top priority.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Development said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
Rising Costs Will Intensify, Skelton Cline Warns as He Suggests Emergency Measures
Coronavirus disease 2019
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