NOW on the move to combat domestic violence

The battle against domestic violence was brought to the streets yesterday as the National Organisation of Women (NOW), in collaboration with the Bureau of Gender Affairs, held their NOW-on-the-MOVE 2025 annual community outreach motorcade as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

The motorcade departed from the Bureau of Gender Affairs office in Warrens, St Michael, winding through several areas in Bridgetown and several residential areas in St Michael before reaching Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall, as the final stop and returning to Warrens.

Director of the Bureau of Gender Affairs, William Warner, emphasised the importance of bringing awareness directly to communities.

“We can actually carry this message to communities and to the streets rather than having it in a forum all the time,” he said.

The initiative aims to educate the public about recognising signs of domestic and gender-based violence, available resources for victims, and where to seek help.

The president of NOW, Melissa Savoury-Gittens, highlighted that many people don’t recognise they’re living in abusive situations.

“Some people have lived with abuse for years and never realised that they’re in an abusive relationship,” she noted. “Sometimes people don’t even know where to go to get help and they sometimes ask the wrong people, who

give them the wrong advice.”

Outreach

The motorcade brought together several organisations committed to combating gender-based violence, including the Social Workers’ Association, Women of Purpose, Barbados Association of Muslim Ladies, and the Barbados Youth Development Council. Participants distributed bags containing contact information for crucial support services, including the Family Conflict Unit, BPW Crisis Centre Hotline, and the Wellness Lifeline in the Ministry of Health.

What made this outreach particularly innovative was the presence of social workers on the move, ready to assist people where they are.

“We identify certain people that we would like to help,” Savoury-Gittens said.

Last year, the motorcade visited the north of the island, including Haymans and surrounding areas. By rotating through different communities each year, NOW and its partners work to ensure their message of support and empowerment reaches every corner of Barbados.

“Somebody might not walk in our office to get help,” Savoury-Gittens said. “But if they see me on the street, they may say, ‘I want to tell you something. I need help. How can you help me?’,” she said. (DDS)

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