A newly formed community movement is calling on Saint Lucians to stand together against gender-based violence and femicide as it prepares to host a peaceful march in Castries on June 2.
Voices Beyond Violence, which emerged in the aftermath of the murder of 24-year-old Joy St. Omer, says it was established to advocate for justice, accountability and systemic change while providing a platform for public action and awareness.
Co-founder Christa St Ange explained that the movement grew out of public concern over violence against women and the desire to channel community grief into meaningful action.
“Voices Beyond Violence is a community-driven movement advocating against gender-based violence and femicide in Saint Lucia,” St Ange said. “It was created in response to the growing demand for justice, accountability, and change, and it serves as a central platform for the hashtag justice for joy movement and sharing information about gatherings, demonstrations, advocacy, efforts, and community action.”
According to St Ange, the movement’s first public activity was a candlelight gathering held following St. Omer’s death.
“So our first act, which was a candlelight gathering following the murder of Joy St. Omer, it brought together women, girls, survivors, allies, all in a safe space united by grief, solidarity, and a shared commitment to ending violence against women,” she said.
She added that the initiative was driven by a small group of committed advocates.
“In actuality, it was a gathering that was prompted by one of our members, our two-thirds, it’s Hasana, myself, and Angel Foster.”
The movement is now preparing for what organizers describe as an End Femicide Peaceful March through the capital.
Co-founder Hasana Emmanuel said the event will begin at Derek Walcott Square and conclude at Serenity Park along the John Compton Highway.
“Tuesday, June 2nd, we are holding an End Femicide Peaceful March with chanting,” Emmanuel said. “The meet-up point is at Derek Walcott Square in Castries, and we are marching until Serenity Park on John Compton Highway, also in Castries.”
She said the event is scheduled to run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and aims to unite the public in opposition to violence against women.
“The purpose of this march is so that we can stand in solidarity as a collective against gender-based violence in St Lucia so that we can remember the lives that have been lost and the voices that have been silenced and essentially just to show that we refuse to look away, and we demand justice.”
Beyond public demonstrations, the movement is also advocating for reforms in several areas that members believe contribute to the ongoing problem of gender-based violence.
St Ange said the group hopes to foster greater awareness while addressing weaknesses within existing institutions.
“What we were trying to achieve, I suppose it’s acknowledgement, sensitization, and change, because we want to address gaps within the systems that are designed to help us, education, judicial, legal, social, addressing gaps in data and research,” she said.
According to St Ange, those shortcomings can have far-reaching consequences for society.
“Because when these gaps cause our systems to fail and disappoint us, it affects us all. We continue to produce both victims and perpetrators within our society. We continue to keep the environment conducive for such occurrences.”
The planned march comes amid heightened national discussion surrounding violence against women, with organizers hoping the event will amplify calls for reform while honoring the memory of those who have lost their lives to gender-based violence.