Nine theatre practitioners who participated in a week-long workshop are now better able to address the issues of gender based violence in Dominica, through the performing arts.
The Applied Arts and Training Programme for Theatre Practitioners which ran from March 14-18, was organized by the Ministry of Social Services, Family and Gender Affairs in Collaboration with the UN Women supported Social Mobilization Project to prevent and respond to gender based violence in the Eastern Caribbean.
Over the years it has been established that women and gender issues are featured prominently in drama presentation.
According to Melissa Morgan of the Bureau of Gender Affairs, who was addressed the closing ceremony held at the Old Mill Cultural Centre on Friday, the programme is an important tool for promoting gender equality.
“It is an important tool for promoting gender equality, inspiring self expression in children, highlighting their achievement and struggles, and it is expected that with continuous campaign about gender based violence and other gender issues through drama, it can raise awareness of gender issues as well as stereotypical thinking and women issues that often reinforce gender stereotypes,” she said.
Morgan stated also that the programme is very important in finding creative and innovative ways of addressing gender based violence and raising awareness of the issue.
Cultural Projects Officer in the Division of Culture, Gregory Rabess who represented Chief Cultural Officer, Jacinta David, said over the last 30 years there has been this popular theatre movement , “but more than that you can use drama and the various disciplines creatively in addressing social issues.”
He said that concept is really deeply rooted in Dominica and other parts of the Caribbean.
“What this workshop does is focus that knowledge, experience and talent…,” he said.
Meantime, UN Women Programme Specialist, Gabrielle Henderson said the UN Women have been working with artistes across the region in the area of gender based violence, “visual artistes, performing artistes”, to name a few.
“This workshop is part of a much broader programme of work across the Caribbean region which focuses on working with artistes, focus on social mobilization and addressing gender based violence,” she stated.
Henderson said among other campaigns in the region which are critical to the work the organization is engaged is the Secretary General Unite Campaign, “a global campaign which is encouraging stakeholders and people at every level in society to unite around addressing violence against women and girls.”
She said this is critical part of the campaign and the workshops fall within that context, as well.
The closing ceremony included some performances by the participants which they had been working on for the past few weeks.
God is taking note. There is much to these people and their outward acts and words than meet the eye that could ever be fathomed. They are spreading their propaganda all over the world and pretend they are helping the people. Do not be a traitor, receive funds and sell your souls to the devil. Be wise.
The UN is not on the side of God. Some months ago UN employed a homosexual man in a high position. This was a wilful employment. He will be instrumental in promoting this all over the world. The countries who have not yet legislated this abomination will be forced to do so.
Christians must stand up for God, for Christianity and their rights to be free; not to fall into the devil’s trap. They will be paid which will not appear to be a bribe (but underneath it is) so that they succumb to their immoral demands to institute such in their land.
These people do not know the difference between godly and ungodly, morals and immorality, ethical and unethical. They have an agenda and are on a course which they will pursue at all costs and demand that all nations comply with them. Otherwise they will term them as discriminating.
According to a beautiful Catholic song, lyrics and music: “Stand up for what you believe in. . . .” No compromising.
These days they call it gender affairs/issues. They no longer say men and women; masculine and feminine but gender. These people are turning the world upside down. They are placing men and women in the identical category. You should know. The cause of it is the homosexual and lesbian situation. The UN is the initiator and very much involved in this, to also place them at par with heterosexual married people.
On a weekly basis, I receive information from a US reputable source involved in listening-in, scrutinizing and providing their views on UN meetings, activities, decisions and what they are promoting and trying to do specifically to the third world countries. Of course, there are also some interest groups involved.
As far as I am concerned and also on morality grounds, they are up to no good. Due to this, I am not impressed and want nothing to do with these people.
These Dominicans fall for this, no doubt, due to receiving funding from them. Beware!
HATE WHEN THEY SAY GENDER AFFAIRS it is not gender affairs its women affairs call it what it is