ADVOCACY WORK
30 Under 30 Institute of Caribbean Studies Changemaker awardee
A transformational leader is focused on impact and not just objective, someone who is deliberate in creating a transformative experience for those they work with’
I was asked to speak on my experience with transformational leadership as a young women, concerns of young women and the priority issues in youth development and gender equality.
Here are my Call to Actions:
1. We need quality healthcare including sexual and reproductive health and rights services and education
2. To address the unemployment gap
3. Implement a gender lens in every decision we take.
4. The implications of the pandemic on girls’ safety, wellbeing and continued education as a result of Covid-19 must be urgently addressed and prioritised.
I have to thank @_ciwil for this phenomenal opportunity to present my call to actions on behalf of young women in the presence of DYMANIC women like the historic Dame Billie Miller, former deputy prime minister of Barbados. 👏 and of course God for his grace and courage.
Three Call to Actions to end Gender Based Violence in Trinidad and Tobago
1. Shift blame away from the victim – our words have power
2. Apply a gender and intersectional lens to GBV
Always ask, “have I considered another perspective”
“What about the perspective of a differentially abled young person”
3. Take a pragmatic step towards ending GBV in your community through education
Thank you @icancreativearts for inviting me in my capacity of the female co-chair for the youth advisory group of the UNFPA to this riveting event on GBV and Me
This is apart of the @spotlightinitiative
Coordinated the Young Women in Leadership Networking and Mentorship Certificate Distribution Ceremony on April 12th, 2022.
Held an interview with the Office of the Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to amplify the work of the women’s movement.
Organized a Gender Based Violence community education walk held in a rural community as the Vice Chair for the Caribbean Women in Leadership Trinidad and Tobago chapter. This was done in partnership with the Coalition against Domestic Violence and the Spotlight Initiative.
Featured in Barbados newspaper, ‘ Barbados Today” on the 7th and 8th of March, 2022 for my work in Sustainable Development Goal #5 as part of the Spotlight Initiative in the Caribbean.
Represented the Willow Foundation in my capacity of the Director of Policy and Advocacy for the Tunapuna Youth Desk March for ending Gender Based Violence on the 5th March, 2022.
Gave a speech centered on the importance of youth advocacy in Trinidad and Tobago and how we can stop violence against women to local community members.
Engaged in an interview with ECLAC discussing youth engagement in the Caribbean for the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
Video can be watched here: https://fb.watch/bSC1Sn-Lzm/
Packaging Dignity Kits for Under privileged women on behalf of the Youth Advisory Group of the UNFPA.
These bags aided women transitioning from homes and aid in eliminating period poverty. January 2022
Panellist on the Spotlight Initiative #WithHer Talks as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence (GBV) campaign.
The #WithHer campaign raises awareness about Gender-based Violence and global efforts to address the issue by engaging new audiences to show their support on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #WithHer.
Sexual and Reproductive Rights
Here we discussed the stigma around HIV, AIDs and SRH, encouraged parents to position themselves as safe spaces, and spoke about developing a culture of testing. This series is to be televised on national channels.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence
Bernice Antoine was the Campaign Co-ordinator for the 16 days of Activism Coalition ‘From Awareness to Action’. A coalition of 5 youth-led and youth focus organizations that educated 1000 young persons on how to reduce Gender Based Violence in their communities.
Here we invited prominent Gender Justice advocates to educate us through zoom sessions about rape culture.
To date, there is a ‘Campaign Champions’ WhatsApp group formed to facilitate sharing of resources and opportunities.
More information can be found on @fromawarenesstoaction.
“Exposure Equals Empowerment: Meet Youth Leader Bernice Antoine” article from Unstoppable Yes You.
Please see below an excerpt from the article.
‘Advocating for the rights of females, particularly young women in the Caribbean is a goal that Antoine finds achievable. Despite her young age and limited formal experience, Antoine brings fresh perspectives and energy to multi-faceted situations which engulf women’s rights and gender equality.”
International Women's Day Celebration
Bernice Antoine celebrates Women Leadership at “Walk out for Women” march held on International Women’s Day 2021.
This year, the theme for International Women’s Day (8 March), “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world,” celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the gaps that remain.
Women Rights Movement
GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO HAS TO STOP!
As a young woman in Trinidad and Tobago, I refuse to accept the current reality we live in!
A rape culture…
A society where ‘CATCALLING’ is normalized, or where soca lyrics like “someone go lose dey gyal tonight’ and ‘Somebody go touch it for yuh’ is a catchy tune until a human being is kidnapped.
Thoughts and sympathy has to be replaced by meaningful action.
#endgenderbasedviolence #womensrightsarehumanrights #iamnotnext
Caribbean Youth Against COVID-19
The above video belongs to UNFPA Caribbean
Advocacy Campaign #GuidesAtCSW #ListenToGirls
Girl Guides 16 Days of Activism Campaign
