Advocacy
We must also work beyond the classroom to make our vision a reality. It’s crucial to advocate in the public and political spheres in order for meaningful changes to be made.
Dance4Life has identified a diversity of advocacy focuses that are pertinent to the advancement of youth wellbeing and empowerment.
Advocacy initiatives range from the local, regional, and international levels. This includes annual campaigns, such as the UN 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence [November 25th - December 10th], and World AIDS Day [December 1st]. We consistently support and amplify the initiatives of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, which focuses on improving nutrition and healthy lifestyles in the region, where non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major health issue. We also partner with other local organizations such as Equals Barbados and SHE to bolster the visibility and progression of LGBTQ+ rights in Barbados. We keep involved with broader regional networks, such as UNICEFLAC, to ensure that Barbados is represented in the latest developmental projects.
We run our own ongoing campaign called Youth4Access which aims to make it possible for youth under 18 years of age to freely access sexual and reproductive health resources, such as STI testing and contraception, without required parental consent. Currently, this requirement is a major deterrent that contributes to unsafe sexual practices and the spread of STIs.
D4L volunteers participating in a workshop hosted by Equals and International AIDS Society (IAS) during Pride Month (2021)
Flier for webinar event discussing domestic violence (DV) in the Caribbean, organised in response to reports of reports of DV increasing dramatically during the pandemic (2021)
D4L at a protest for Palestine outside Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised by Caribbean Against Apartheid In Palestine (CAAP) during 9 day bombardment by Israeli military, in which 63 children were killed. (2021)
D4L with representatives from Equals and Butterfly at the UN House for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), 2019
At the UN House on International Women's Day to discuss the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) report and recommendation, along with other local NGOs (2018)
Supporting the Life in Leggings rally (2017)
At a meeting held by PAHO-WHO & Ministry of Health, Barbados meeting on Developing an Adolescent Health Strategy in Barbados, along with Barbados Family Planning Association Youth Advocacy Movement (YAM) and Barbados National HIV / AIDS Commission (2017)
Participating in the Sunset Crest RUBIS Caribbean community Health Day activities (2017)
World AIDS Day Demonstration in Bridgetown (2015)
With members of the National HIV/AIDS Comission, Mrs. Jacqueline Wiltshire Gay, Director, Ms. Alexis Nurse, Behavioural Change Communication Specialist, and Ms. Lynn Armstrong, Deputy Director.
Instigating awareness for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence at Graydon Sealy Secondary School (2015)
Participating at The Sixth International Seminar for South-South Cooperation on NGO Capacity Building in Population and Reproductive Health in Beijing (2015)
Presenting at The Sixth International Seminar for South-South Cooperation on NGO Capacity Building in Population and Reproductive Health.
In Belize for Heart Connection Tour Training (2012)
In The Bahamas for the Caribbean HIV Conference (2011)
“You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.”
— Shirley Chisholm