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Do Nation Foundation Inc. is honored to
present "Voices of Peace: Empowering
Rural Young Women in 3 Southern St. Lucia
Communities through Leadership Training,
Sign Language Support, and Community
Advocacy," a bold and transformative
initiative designed to address the urgent
challenges faced by young women in rural
southern St. Lucia; specifically in the
communities of Dennery, Micoud, and
Vieux-Fort. These rural areas, marked by
agricultural livelihoods, high youth
unemployment, and persistent
gender-based violence, are home to young
women who face significant barriers
including exclusion from community
decision-making, limited access to
education and employment, and scarce
support services’ especially for those living
with disabilities such as deafness or hearing
impairments.
Our mission is to empower 75 rural young
women, including those with disabilities, to
become dynamic leaders and advocates for
peace, violence prevention, and
gender-responsive security within a
seven-month timeframe. The project focuses
on building foundational leadership,
advocacy, and peacebuilding skills through
hands-on workshops, mentorship, and peer
learning opportunities. By integrating
innovative sign language training for
selected focal points, we directly address
the communication barriers faced by
survivors of domestic violence who are deaf
or hard of hearing, promoting inclusivity and accessibility in vital support services.
"Voices of Peace" also aims to transform harmful gender norms deeply rooted in these communities by launching a multi-platform behavior change communication campaign. This campaign incorporates radio segments, social media content including sign language videos, community dialogues, and podcasts to reach over 5,000 residents, fostering dialogue and awareness around violence prevention and gender equality. The establishment of peer support and advocacy groups will provide ongoing emotional and
practical assistance for survivors while nurturing solidarity and resilience among participants.
A key pillar of the project is collaboration with local security actors and community leaders to develop a gender-responsive understanding of peace and crisis intervention, ensuring that the security sector is better equipped to support young women and survivors in ways that are respectful, sensitive, and effective. Two youth-led policy advocacy forums will empower participants to articulate their perspectives to policymakers and influence local reforms, strengthening the foundations for inclusive peacebuilding.
The project’s digital dimension includes the design of an accessible, user-friendly website hosting project information, resources, and sign language content, alongside a virtual chat room offering confidential survivor support moderated by trained focal points. These spaces extend the project's reach, providing safe, accessible avenues for assistance beyond physical community gatherings.
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