Connecting for Change: SARC Open House in Antigua Encourages Collaboration to Combat VAWG

November 27th, 2024 — St. John’s, Antigua: With support from UN Women Multi Country Office - (MCO) Caribbean, The Directorate of Gender Affairs hosted an impactful Open House of the Support and Referral Centre (SARC) yesterday, as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Campaign. The event welcomed key stakeholders from the diplomatic corps, private sector and philanthropy to better understand the unique one stop centre, shining a spotlight on collaborative efforts to combat violence against women and girls (VAWG) and advance gender equity in Antigua & Barbuda.

The 16 Days of Activism campaign, observed annually from November 25th (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10th (Human Rights Day), serves as a worldwide call to end gender-based violence and promote women’s rights. This year’s theme, “Towards Beijing +30: Unite To End Violence Against Women And Girls” underscores the urgency of addressing this pervasive issue, with a particular focus on strategic partnerships and sustainable funding.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violation in the world. Globally, an estimated 736 million women1—nearly one in three— have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their lives.

Closer to home in the Caribbean, VAWG is acknowledged as being extensive across the region. Sexual coercion and abuse are reportedly widespread and five of the top 20 recorded rape rates for 2019 were in the Caribbean. Prevalence surveys supported by UN Women MCO – Caribbean show alarming rates of lifetime intimate partner violence across several Caribbean countries, including Grenada (39%), Guyana (55%), Jamaica (39%), Suriname (48%), and Trinidad and Tobago (44%). Additionally, the economic cost of VAWG is staggering, as seen in Jamaica, where it was estimated to cost 6.6% of the 2018 GDP, with the private sector alone bearing 2.3%. These figures underscore the far-reaching impact of GBV, not only on survivors but on households, businesses, and national economies.

Events like the SARC Open House aim to amplify awareness, foster partnerships, and mobilize resources to tackle these alarming figures.

Executive Director of the Directorate of Gender Affairs, Mr. Jamie Saunders, emphasized the critical role of collaboration during the event: "The issue of Gender based violence is one that requires significant investment from all segments of society, in order to ensure that our response is robust and sustainable. The buy-in and support of various corporate entities towards the Directorate of Gender Affairs and towards the Support and Referral Centre (SARC), in particular, bodes well for survivors of Gender based violence and the quality of care they can expect to receive, through the centre."

The Open House provided attendees with an overview of SARC’s comprehensive services, which include counselling, legal referrals, and community outreach. It also offered a platform to discuss opportunities for partnerships aimed at expanding support systems for survivors.

Ms. Je’nille Maraj, Planning and Coordination Specialist, UN Women Multi Country Office - Caribbean, highlighted the regional significance of initiatives like the SARC: “Antigua and Barbuda's Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) exemplifies a flagship model in the region, offering all essential services in one location to reduce steps and barriers for survivors. This integrated, one-stop approach ensures timely, quality care while minimizing the risk of re-traumatisation. UN Women remains committed to advocating for the SARC’s sustainable re-operationalisation and scale-up, recognising that investing in such comprehensive gender-based violence response systems is not only life-saving for survivors but also essential for advancing gender equality and societal progress.

With sponsors committing to advocacy campaigns, resource mobilization, and capacity-building programs, the event marked a pivotal step toward sustainable solutions; the SARC Open House exemplified the theme of the 16 Days of Activism, proving that investment, action, and advocacy are indispensable in the fight to end violence against women and girls.

If you or someone you know requires assistance from the SARC, please contact them on their 24-hour Crisis Hotline at 268-463-5555.