A Network has being launched in Carriacou and Petite Martinique to provide support and guidance to persons who are affected by Gender Based Violence, HIV and other social scourges.
Called “Friends of the Community against GBV and HIV” the network which was launched on Monday comprises of persons who are already employed as professionals in the field, but are willing to voluntarily assist in creating an avenue that will reach out to those who are affected.
The launch of the Network is a result of persons from the Grenada National Organisation of Women (GNOW) meeting with various social and community professionals from the community as they seek to develop a new approach to reduce GBV and HIV, as well as to highlight the direct link between the two.
Funded by PEPFAR, this project is designed to mobilize community action against Gender-Based violence and the spread of HIV in the 12–18 and 19–65 female and male age groups in Grenada over a two-year period. The design includes working in collaboration with co-share partners HOPE-PALS and Legal Aid and Counselling Clinic to coordinate a management response approach to HIV and GBV.
Additional support will come from GrenCHAP, Caribbean HIV/AIDS Alliance (CHAA), Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Health – National Infectious Disease Control Unit (NIDCU) and National HIV & AIDS Council. Project activities will be implemented in nine communities across six parishes.
The communities selected are: Chantimelle, Victoria, River Road/Darbeau, LaBorie, Gouyave, Telescope, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
One of the initiatives of the Carriacou Network will be the launch of a 24–hour hotline where persons can call to talk about social matters, with a view to finding solutions through counselling and other appropriate redress.
By Linda Straker
