Foundation to launch campaign as equality law signed

(CNS): The Estella Scott-Roberts Foundation will launch its annual awareness campaign this weekend in the wake of the long awaited gender equality bill, to be implemented in January, becoming law. The governor signed the law on Monday, which aside from seeking to secure equal opportunity and reward in theworkplace also legislates on sexual harassment. This is which is the focus of the ESRF’s campaign, "I am not the one who should be ashamed", which is intended to raise awareness and give victims the confidence to speak out. The campaign also aims to educate the public as to what exactly constitutes sexual harassment and urge those who are suffering to no-longer feel ashamed.  (Photo: the late Estella Scott-Roberts, a tireless advocate for gender equality)

“We are aware that sexual harassment is a prevalent issue in the Cayman Islands,” said Rayle Roberts, Chairperson of the Foundation. “We are hoping to get the public talking about it so that victims learn that their suffering should not go unreported.” 

He said that sexual harassment, in any form, should not be accepted in our community as he appealed to anyone who observed sexual harassment to be courageous enough to offer to be a witness and encourage victims to seek help. The campaign also urges the public to support the new legislation and speak to their employers about implementing a policy against sexual harassment in the workplace.

As he signed the law on Monday, Governor Duncan Taylor said it was an important piece of legislation and announced that the governor’s office would be contributing to the public education campaign that the ministry will launch in early November. Throughout the ESRF year-long campaign, it hopes to raise awareness and give victims the confidence to speak out as well as educate the public as to what exactly constitutes sexual harassment and urge those who are suffering not to feel ashamed.

The Foundation also invited Women’s Media Watch to this year’s campaign launch on Sunday 16 October. The organisation seeks to reduce gender-based violence in the media and in society as they work towardsa more peaceful and caring society that provides equal opportunities to all. 

Pastor Felix Manzanares and Dara Flowers-Burke will serve as the emcees at the launch evening, which takes place at the Harquail Theatre from 5:00-6:30pm, and will include special dramatic performance from Jamaica’s Women’s Media Watch. The programme will include poetry reading by Nasaria Suckoo-Cholette and a performance by the UCCI‟s Choir.

For more information about the ESRF please contact: esrfoundation@gmail.com