Statement in Observance of the International Day of Democracy 2026

September 15th, 2026

Democracy is often discussed in terms of elections, political parties and public institutions. But democracy is also about something more fundamental: whether people can understand, participate in and influence the decisions that shape their lives.

This year’s International Day of Democracy reminds us that when every voice counts, democracy delivers. For Pink Parliament, that means asking a necessary question: Can democracy truly deliver in Barbados and across the Caribbean when girls and young women remain largely outside the spaces where decisions are made?

Girls are affected by public policy long before they are old enough to vote or stand for elected office. Decisions about their education, access to healthcare, sexual and reproductive health, protection from violence, safety online and in public spaces, and pathways into employment shape their present and their future. Yet they are often expected to watch from the margins, consulted only after priorities have been set and treated as though their age makes their experiences less credible. Too often, their inclusion in political and civic spaces is merely ceremonial. They are asked to attend, speak or be photographed without being given any meaningful role in shaping the agenda or determining what happens next.

Girls are not waiting to become citizens. They are citizens now.

Meaningful participation requires more than inviting young people into a room or asking them to endorse decisions they did not shape. It requires access to information, an understanding of how institutions work, safe spaces to express different perspectives and real pathways to influence policy and public life. A voice does not truly count simply because it was heard. It counts when it is considered, respected and capable of influencing an outcome.

Adults and institutions must also listen without condescension. Girls should not have to imitate older political leaders, suppress their identities or prove that they are exceptional before being taken seriously. Across the Caribbean, political authority is still often treated as something that belongs to older people. Young people are expected to listen and learn but are rarely trusted to shape decisions themselves—especially girls, who may struggle to be recognised as credible political thinkers in their own right. The responsibility cannot rest solely on girls to overcome systems that were not designed with them in mind. Governments, parliaments, political parties, schools, civil society organisations and the media must help remove the structural, cultural and economic barriers that restrict their participation.

When girls and young women are missing from public decision-making, the issues affecting them may be discussed without them, misunderstood or addressed only after harm has occurred. Their participation changes who is present, which questions are asked, whose knowledge is valued and which solutions are considered possible.

Since 2019, Pink Parliament has worked to build this foundation by providing girls and young women between the ages of 14 and 20 with civic education, mentorship and leadership development. Through the programme, participants learn how decisions are made, examine the systems governing their lives, develop advocacy and communication skills, engage with women leaders and explore how they can contribute to their communities and countries.

Our work is non-partisan. We do not tell girls what to think, which political party to support or which position they must take. We create space for them to question, analyse, disagree, deliberate and form informed views of their own. These are not simply leadership skills; they are democratic skills.

The purpose is not only to prepare girls who may one day enter electoral politics. Democracy needs informed and engaged people throughout society: advocates, organisers, public servants, researchers, journalists, educators, diplomats, community leaders and citizens willing to hold institutions accountable. Political participation takes many forms, and girls should be able to discover the forms that are right for them.

Civic education must not become a substitute for access to power. We must prepare girls to participate while transforming the institutions in which that participation takes place. It is not enough to teach girls to raise their hands if no one intends to call on them. It is not enough to invite them to speak if their contributions will not influence what happens next. Participation without influence is not inclusion; it is performance.

On this International Day of Democracy, Pink Parliament calls for:

  • Civic education that helps young people understand how government works and how they can participate in it, question it and hold it accountable;
  • Sustained and accessible channels for girls and young women to identify public priorities, contribute to policy and receive clear follow-up on how their contributions were used;
  • Greater investment in girl-led and youth-led organisations, alongside stronger pathways into politics, public service and community leadership; and
  • Political institutions, schools, civil society organisations and the media to treat girls as legitimate participants in public life rather than occasional guests within it.

Democracy is not strengthened by asking young people to wait quietly for their turn. It is strengthened when they are equipped to participate, trusted to contribute and able to see that their participation has meaning. For Caribbean democracy to remain relevant and responsive, young people must be able to recognise themselves not only in its future, but in its present.

Girls belong wherever decisions are being made. Not as tokens or mere symbols of inclusion. Not only as future leaders. But as thinkers, advocates, organisers and citizens whose voices, experiences and ideas are essential to the democratic life of our countries.

When girls’ voices count, democracy delivers—for everyone.

Media Contact:

Ronelle King
Project Manager
Pink Parliament
Email: pinkparliament@gmail.com | info@lifeinleggings.org 

Website: www.lifeinleggings.org
Phone: +1 (246) 830-9574

About Pink Parliament

Pink Parliament is an award-winning, non-partisan civic and political leadership programme for young women and girls by Life In Leggings: Caribbean Alliance Against Gender-based Violence (Registered Charity #1602).

Through civic education, mentorship, and leadership development, Pink Parliament equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to participate meaningfully in political and civic life. The programme creates opportunities for girls to engage with women leaders and explore pathways into politics, public service, advocacy, and community leadership.

A Win for Equality: St. Lucia Decriminalises Same-Sex Intimacy in Historic Ruling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 16th, 2025

Bridgetown, Barbados –  It is with profound pride and joy that Life In Leggings: Caribbean Alliance Against Gender-based Violence celebrates this historic victory for LGBTQ+ rights in the Caribbean.

On July 29, 2025, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court struck down St. Lucia’s colonial-era “buggery” and “gross indecency” laws, declaring them unconstitutional. This landmark ruling marks a powerful step toward building a more inclusive, equitable, and gender-just Caribbean.

This decision would not have been possible without the immense courage and conviction of the petitioners, legal teams, and grassroots advocates who dared to challenge these discriminatory laws. We especially recognize and honour the tireless work of the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE) and United and Strong Inc., whose leadership and unwavering commitment to justice made this victory possible.

For decades, LGBTQ+ people in St. Lucia have lived under the shadow of Sections 132 and 133 of the Criminal Code, which punished same-sex intimacy with prison sentences of up to 10 years. Though rarely enforced, these laws legitimised stigma and violence, fuelling societal rejection and placing lives at risk. Their repeal is not merely symbolic — it is life-saving.

The ruling by Honourable Justice Francis Innocent affirms what Caribbean LGBTQ+ activists have long known: these laws are unconstitutional, unjust, and incompatible with the values of human dignity and equality. St. Lucia now joins Belize, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Saint Kitts and Nevis as the latest Caribbean nation to strike down similar laws, reflecting a growing regional movement for freedom and equality.

This ruling sends a clear message: no one should be criminalised for who they love.

As a regional movement for gender justice, Life In Leggings stands in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in St. Lucia and across the Caribbean. We urge all remaining Caribbean governments to follow St. Lucia’s example and uphold the promise of human rights for all.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights. To ignore, undervalue, or refuse to protect a community is to authorise its victimisation. For too long, these laws sent the message that LGBTQ+ lives were unworthy of protection and that the discrimination they faced was justified. That must end.

Our shared future depends on the collective will to protect every person — regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or belief.

Media Contact:

Executive Committee
Life In Leggings: Caribbean Alliance Against Gender-based Violence
Email: info@lifeinleggings.org 
Website: www.lifeinleggings.org
Phone: +1 (246) 830-9574

Justice Must Not Be Crowd-Sourced: Guyanese Authorities Must Act with Urgency and Accountability

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 23rd, 2025

Georgetown, Guyana – Life In Leggings: Caribbean Alliance Against Gender-Based Violence expresses grave concern over the harrowing ordeal of Joanna Ramoutar, a survivor of six years of extreme domestic violence at the hands of her former spouse, and the unacceptable police inaction that followed her desperate plea for protection.

Joanna’s story which details repeated physical abuse, rape, emotional torture, and threats to her life and that of her children should have resulted in immediate state intervention. Instead, it was only after her testimony went viral on social media and public pressure mounted that police acted.

A survivor should never have to turn to Facebook to beg for her safety— especially when children are involved. This is a systemic failure. The role of law enforcement is to serve and protect, not to delay action until public outcry forces their hand.

Even more disturbing is the response of the Officer of the New Amsterdam Police Station, who reportedly told Joanna she “must have enjoyed the licks” because she stayed so long. This is victim-blaming, and it is both morally reprehensible and professionally unacceptable. We call for:

  • A full investigation into this officer’s conduct, 
  • A formal apology to the survivor, 
  • And mandatory sensitivity and trauma-informed training for all officers in the New Amsterdam division.

According to UN Women, 1 in 2 women in Guyana have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime, and the country has one of the highest femicide rates per capita in the region. Data shows it takes a woman on average seven attempts to leave an abusive relationship. That means the moment she does leave is not only courageous, it is the most dangerous—a time when she is at highest risk of being killed by her abuser.

That is why police response must be immediate and trauma-informed. Delayed action, dismissive attitudes, and systemic negligence cost lives. In too many cases in Guyana, femicide has occurred after victims sought help and were failed by the very institutions charged with protecting them.

We cannot continue to encourage victims to come forward, launch national campaigns promoting the reporting of abuse, and then provide no safe, supportive, and judgment-free systems for survivors to turn to. Gender-based violence is severely underreported, and when victims do report, they are too often met with disbelief, ridicule, or inaction. This is not justice. This is complicity.

We commend the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security for promptly deploying a specialized team from the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit (SO&DVPU) in response to Joanna Ramoutar’s case. Their swift intervention demonstrates the kind of urgent, survivor-centered response that all victims of domestic violence deserve — not only when cases go viral, but every single time someone reaches out for help. While this action is a step in the right direction, it must be matched with sustained institutional reform, ongoing training for law enforcement, and consistent accountability measures to ensure survivors are protected before public pressure forces a response.

Therefore, we call upon the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, and the Office of the President to:

  • Publicly reaffirm their commitment to ending gender-based violence, 
  • Mandate COPSQUAD training for all police officers, without exception; 
  • And inform the public about the role of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) as a national accountability mechanism for officers who mishandle gender-based violence cases.

Joanna Ramoutar’s bravery in speaking out must not be in vain. We owe it to her and to the countless other survivors across Guyana to ensure her story leads to real change.

Because no survivor should have to beg for help.

Media Contact:

Executive Committee
Life In Leggings: Caribbean Alliance Against Gender-based Violence
Email: info@lifeinleggings.org 
Website: www.lifeinleggings.org
Phone: +1 (246) 830-9574

Life In Leggings Condemns Attack on Ghanaian Nurse and Calls for Urgent Government Action

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 16th, 2025

Bridgetown, Barbados – Life In Leggings: Caribbean Alliance Against Gender-Based Violence strongly condemns the brutal and senseless stabbing of a Ghanaian nurse near the St Philip District Hospital on Friday night. We stand in solidarity with the victim and her fellow colleagues, many of whom are now left traumatised and fearful for their own safety.

The nurse, who was reportedly attacked on the dimly lit road leading to the hospital, suffered a stab wound to her neck in a completely unprovoked assault. This incident highlights an urgent and long-ignored safety issue affecting healthcare workers, particularly women, along a perilous stretch between Hilda Skeene Primary School and the District Hospital in Jezreel.

This is not an isolated incident. Nurses have repeatedly raised concerns about the dangers of this route, citing past occurrences of robbery and alleged sexual assault. These cries for help had long gone unanswered—until one of their own nearly lost her life.

We urge the Barbados Police Service to treat this incident with the utmost urgency and ensure that the perpetrator is swiftly apprehended and held accountable under the law. A strong, visible response is critical not only to delivering justice to the survivor but also to restoring a sense of safety among healthcare workers and the wider community.

We acknowledge the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ public statement outlining plans to support the injured nurse and her colleagues, including counselling and security improvements. While we appreciate that assistance was extended to staff present on Saturday, the nurses who were on duty during the attack—those most directly affected—have not yet received that support, as they have not yet returned to work. We urge the Ministry to ensure timely, compassionate follow-through when they do. Proactive communication and tangible care are essential to rebuilding trust and protecting staff wellbeing.

Moreover, we commend the Ministry for committing to address the nurses’ list of demands—an important and necessary first step. At the same time, we urge the Ministry to act with urgency to ensure these measures are implemented without delay. This incident has shown us that delayed action puts lives at risk. Let us delay no more.

Their list of demands includes, but is not limited to, the following longstanding safety measures:

  • Adequate lighting along the road leading to the hospital
  • The installation of external security cameras on hospital grounds
  • A dedicated staff shuttle service, particularly for night shift workers
  • The presence of trained security personnel
  • Routine debushing of the surrounding area
  • Regular patrols and surveillance by the Barbados Police Service

This attack also raises urgent questions about the safety of migrant workers, especially women, who often face increased vulnerability due to isolation, unfamiliarity with local systems, and lack of adequate support.

Furthermore, this incident underscores the critical link between public safety and Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities—particularly Target 11.2, which calls for improving road safety and access to transport systems. This target emphasises meeting the needs of vulnerable groups, including women. The lack of secure transport options for healthcare workers—especially at night—represents a broader failure to uphold this commitment and protect those most at risk. Healthcare workers should not be forced to risk their lives simply to report for duty. Their ability to move safely through public space is not a privilege—it is a right.

As an organisation dedicated to gender justice, community safety, and survivor-centered advocacy, we remain committed to supporting the nurses and amplifying their demands until concrete action is taken. Their safety is not negotiable.

We stand with the nurses. We stand with the survivor. We stand for justice.

Media Contact:

Executive Committee
Life In Leggings: Caribbean Alliance Against Gender-based Violence
Email: info@lifeinleggings.org 
Website: www.lifeinleggings.org
Phone: +1 (246) 830-9574

Safeguarding the Pillars of Our Nation: End Elder Abuse

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 15th, 2025

Bridgetown, Barbados – The protection and respect of our most vulnerable must form the baseline of our collective humanity.

On this World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Life In Leggings: Caribbean Alliance Against Gender-based Violence strongly condemns the wave of abuse targeting our elders in recent weeks. We are especially outraged by the violent and degrading assault on a 76-year-old woman—an act so egregious it has shaken the national conscience.

Her courageous testimony recounts being repeatedly violated within her own property compound, a place where she should have felt safe, in the presence of her teenage grandson. This brutal act did not only harm an elder— it also shattered the innocence of a child. Underscoring the far-reaching emotional, physical, and psychological effects of trauma across generations.

Life In Leggings stands in unwavering solidarity with this survivor. We call on all Barbadians to condemn elder abuse in all its forms. We also urge that psychological support be made freely and readily accessible to all those affected by this demoralising act.

Elder abuse is far more prevalent than many realise. A 2021 study by the World Health Organization found that one in six people aged 60 and older had experienced some form of abuse in community settings. In the Caribbean, elder abuse remains severely underreported, particularly in rural communities where victims often lack access to support services or fear retaliation. Older women are especially vulnerable to neglect, psychological, and sexual abuse, particularly those living with disabilities or cognitive decline.

We urge Barbadians to be vigilant and proactive in looking out for the elders in their families and communities, especially those who live alone. Their vulnerability can be exploited by perpetrators, and too often, their suffering goes unnoticed. Protecting our elders must be a shared societal responsibility, not just a legal one.

That being said, we commend the Barbados Police Service for their swift response to investigate this incident and encourage them to continue prioritizing the safety and dignity of our elders.

We also urge anyone with information to come forward and assist with the investigation, so that justice may be served and accountability upheld.

In building our future, we must honour and protect those who laid the foundations of our society—whose sacrifices made our progress possible.

Let this be a turning point — not just in words, but in action that safeguards the dignity and lives of our elders.

Media Contact:

Executive Committee
Life In Leggings: Caribbean Alliance Against Gender-based Violence
Email: info@lifeinleggings.org 

Website: www.lifeinleggings.org
Phone: +1 (246) 830-9574