More than 2,000 people took to the streets of Antigua and Barbuda on March 8, 2025, marking International Women’s Day with a powerful demonstration against gender-based violence. The Men & Women United 2025: Stop Gender-Based Violence 5K Walk, now in its second year, saw double the participation from 2024, underscoring the growing public demand for action against one of the most pressing human rights issues in the Caribbean. The event, organized by the non-profit Integrated Health Outreach Inc. (IHO) through its Gender-Based Violence Coalition (IHO-GBV), was hosted in partnership with the Directorate of Gender Affairs (DoGA). Organizers described the turnout as overwhelming, emphasizing that the increasing participation reflects a heightened national awareness and urgency to combat gender-based violence.
Among the marchers, both men and women shared compelling reasons for their participation. A woman in her forties who attended with a coworker stated, “We are here to march against violence. It was important for me to be here.” A man in his twenties highlighted the need for allyship, saying, “Violence happens to everyone, but more specifically to women because they’re often seen as less than. It’s important for people who are not directly affected to show support so that those who are feel less alone.” Another participant carried a sign reading, “Protect our mothers, sisters, and daughters,” and when asked why she joined, she responded, “Too many women and young girls are being raped in Antigua. I am here to support them.” A young woman in her twenties, dressed in a cap and sunglasses, reflected on the significance of the movement, stating, “Domestic violence and gender-based violence are terrible, and a walk like this is something we should all support. Hopefully, this raises awareness and encourages more people to speak out.”
Between 2016 and 2019, five CARICOM nations—Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago—conducted national surveys in partnership with UN Women to assess gender-based violence prevalence. The findings were staggering, with 46 percent of women reporting that they had experienced intimate partner violence at some point in their lives. In Antigua and Barbuda, gender-based violence remains a critical issue, and the Men & Women United Walk served as a mobilization platform, urging authorities and communities to recognize it as not just a human rights violation, but also a public health crisis and a barrier to sustainable development.
With the successful Antigua leg of the event concluded, organizers are now preparing for the Barbuda leg, scheduled to take place on March 15 in Codrington, Barbuda. In addition, IHO and DoGA have announced that they are actively working towards establishing a shelter for women experiencing violence. The 5K Walk not only raised awareness but also emphasized the urgent need for such a facility in Antigua and Barbuda. The walk is also closely linked to a gender-based violence prevalence survey, which is currently being conducted by IHO in partnership with DoGA to further inform policy and intervention strategies.
The Men & Women United 2025 Walk has become more than just an annual march—it is now a nationwide movement. As participation continues to grow and public discourse on gender-based violence expands, organizers hope that events like these will drive legislative change, strengthen support services, and inspire community-driven solutions to protect the most vulnerable.
