Antigua and Barbuda has officially launched its third annual Gender-Based Violence Walk, scheduled for March 7, 2026, with organizers expressing confidence in surpassing previous participation records. The event, unveiled January 7th at the Multipurpose Centre, represents the nation’s largest public advocacy initiative addressing gender-based violence.
Organized through a collaborative effort between the nonprofit Integrated Health Outreach (IHO) and the Directorate of Gender Affairs (DoGA), the 2025 walk attracted over 2,000 participants. Both organizations anticipate significantly increased attendance for the 2026 event, which aligns with International Women’s Day observances.
Melanie Williams-Kirnon, Programme Officer at DoGA, characterized gender-based violence as “a pervasive issue that leaves deep scars on victims and disrupts the social fabric of our communities.” She emphasized the walk’s evolution into “a critical initiative for raising awareness about gender-based violence in Antigua and Barbuda” since its 2024 inception.
The 2026 campaign features an comprehensive eight-week awareness initiative, including weekly youth workshops and a fundraising drive supporting the establishment of a women’s shelter. The shelter project, envisioned as a women-led social enterprise incorporating a beeping farm for sustainable funding, received government approval for a five-acre land lease in October 2025.
Dr. Nicola Bird, IHO’s Executive Director, acknowledged community support as instrumental in securing government backing for the shelter initiative. “It is the voice of the people, and that people-driven momentum that really helped us,” Dr. Bird stated during the launch ceremony.
Organizers are particularly focused on increasing male participation, emphasizing that men and boys play crucial roles in achieving cultural transformation. Registrants for the 2026 walk can optionally complete an anonymous survey designed to gauge public perception regarding violence against women and girls in Antigua and Barbuda.
The event occurs against a sobering global backdrop where UN Women statistics indicate at least one in three women worldwide experiences intimate partner violence. The Caribbean region faces particularly acute challenges, with 46% of women experiencing some form of gender-based violence—exceeding global averages.
Event Details:
The Gender-Based Violence Walk 2026
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Location: The Botanical Gardens
Time: 2:00 PM
Registration: https://qrco.de/bgXYuu
Shelter Project Support: https://gofund.me/9bba6cc27