BPW Calls for Participation in the 23rd Annual Silent Witness March

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. As a part of associated initiatives, the community is invited to join in the 23rd Annual Silent Witness March (SWM) against domestic violence and bullying. This initiative is led by the Business and Professional Women’s Association of Grand Cayman, in collaboration with the Gender Affairs Unit, the Family Resource Centre, the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre, and the Department of Counselling Services.

This year’s SWM will take place on Thursday October 19th at 3:00pm. Typically the march has taken place on a Wednesday however this year’s date was chosen to align with the global movement of ‘Purple Thursday’: An international day of action that is a designated time for communities and organizations to raise awareness about signs of abuse, lift up the stories of survivors and advocate for policy changes.

In 2000, BPW Cayman established the local Silent Witness March as a small tribute to those who have lost their lives due to, or have been impacted by, domestic violence. This year’s theme Everyone Knows Someone reflects the statistics which show that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men, will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Historically under-reported, domestic violence victims have often suffered in silence, something which in many cases has had fatal consequences.

Dorothy Davis, Chair of this year’s march hopes that “this March will reach people who are in situations they need to leave and let them know there is a community and resources available to support them. I am hopeful that it might also give men, women and children the courage to speak more openly about a topic that is often thought of as taboo and mobilize the community to take action.”

Providing comment on the choice of the March’s route, Mahreen Nabi, Co-Chair of this year’s SWM offers: “The silent march starts from the Government Administration Building, moves past the George Town Police Station, arrives at the Courthouse , heads toward the House of Parliament, and lands at Constitution Hall. This represents some of the key stakeholders and institutions that play a powerful role in ensuring that domestic violence is prevented, perpetrators are held accountable  and that justice is brought to victims. Ending at Constitution Hall is also a reminder of the fundamental principles enshrined in our Constitution that commit us to protecting and promoting the values of human dignity, safety, and social justice for all.”

Karlene Bramwell (Gender Affairs Unit, CIG) added “The Gender Affairs Unit is once again proud to partner on this year’s 23rd Silent Witness March. Joining us at the march is a great first step, but more importantly we are encouraging and expecting each person to become an ally to those who are vulnerable. We must all work towards ending violence in our homes, families, schools and the wider community ”.

A short ceremony and refreshments will follow at the endpoint, Constitution Hall.