UN marks Human Rights Day with message

Human rights are under assault, warns United Nations Secretary General António Guterres.

He raised the concern recently in a press release while calling for swift action to protect, defend and uphold all rights for all people. 

“Today, as the world observes Human Rights Day, the United Nations emphasises all rights are indivisible, whether economic, social, civic, cultural or political, and when one right is undermined, all rights are undermined. Therefore, overcoming injustice and advancing equality for everyone means we must stand up for all rights, always.”

On November 25, Barbadians stood in solidarity and took action for 16 days in honour of the victims and supporting survivors of gender-based violence. The Red Shoes Project sought to acknowledge that violence against women is a pervasive global issue that disrupts the lives of countless women and girls, and places a heavy burden on communities.

The project was launched with the collective painting of shoes by representatives of all partners along with the Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, as well as volunteers at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus. 

Each empty pair of shoes symbolised a life cut short, a voice silenced and a future taken away. In addition, the shoes also represented love and unity, a testament to the strength and resilience of women who continue to fight for their lives and rights.

UNFPA Caribbean also participated in its own campaign entitled No excuse for GBV, which featured a series of blog posts calling for action to end all forms of violence against women and girls. 

As the 16 Days of  Activism Against Gender-Based Violence comes to an end today, the public is reminded of the tens of millions of people who are mired in poverty, hunger, poor health and education systems that have not yet fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Nations has appealed to all to commit to healing divisions and building peace, standing up for democracy, press freedoms and workers’ rights as well as defending human rights defenders as they carry out their vital work. (PR)

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