Last Saturday, December 10, Human Rights Day, the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF) hosted its “Orange” Walk to commemorate
Human Rights Day 2016 and close the 16 Days of Activism Campaign, which
is held annually to galvanize action to end gender-based violence.
SASOD’s Joel Simpson led the marchers as they chanted “Equal Rights! Equal Love! Equal People!” and “Break the Silence, End Gender-Based Violence.”
At
the end of the walk, brief remarks were shared by Minister of Social
Protection, Volda Lawrence and keynote speaker Dr. Dawn Stewart. Dr.
Stewart is the civil society representative to Guyana’s Global Fund
Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and founder and Chief Executive
Officer of CPIC’s Monique’s Caring Hands - a leading, local grassroots
women's rights group.
Dr.
Stewart commenced her remarks by expressing, “It is one of the most
pervasive violations of human rights in the world, one of the least
prosecuted crimes, and one of the greatest threats to lasting peace and
development. I am talking about violence against women and children. I
am honoured to be here, at your request, to address this urgent matter
as we join together to advance human rights, and the common values of
humanity.” 
