10
LOCAL
JUNE 09, 2018 THE STAR
WWW.STLUCIASTAR.COM
Sexual Harassment is We Kolcha I
’m a “home girl” whatever that means. That’s what I’ve been called since my time at primary school. To this day I still get hit with: “You living in Gros Islet and I never see you!” There are several reasons for my apparent reclusiveness, one of them being I didn’t want stupid boys to trouble me. Over the past few years I have noticed that the regular catcalls have taken on a more conducive tone. I get friendlier comments, good wishes, even blessings for the day. I have wondered what’s responsible for the change. Could it be that I now go out at the same time that well-mannered people
are about? Do I now attract less immature attention? I have considered the possibility that Saint Lucians have become classier, more civilized, what with all the stuff on social media about campaigns such as #MeToo. I was brought back to reality this week when a man, possibly a little younger than I, his face weirdly twisted, addressed me in the street: “I like it. You a nice height for a back shot.” The other man with him smiled as if in enthusiastic agreement. As rude as was that young man, he did not begin to compare with what an animal, that walked like a man, tossed at me the other morning: “Shabine, your skin so nice.
Your pussy must be nice same way. Come for me to lick it!” The chorus of other drinking males around him exploded with sickening laughter. Some even clapped their hands deliriously. The last mentioned two experiences underscored for me the serious problem in this country, of men with little respect for themselves, let alone women. Their disgusting behaviour is considered quite normal, at any rate a normal part of life in Saint Lucia. The twinge of anxiety that a female feels before walking through a herd of predatory testosterone on the block, some would argue, is all part of our culture. Sadly many women
actually encourage the verbal assaults. They feel flattered. I’ve also considered the possibility that it makes young men feel, er, presidential, to address women in the street as they do. Hopefully it never extends to grabbing them “by the pussy!" Making matters worse is that I was too scared of what might follow if I told those two insulting men where to get off. Would I be physically attacked? Grabbed? Abducted and raped? I was unaccompanied in both instances when the catcallers were encouraged by their male companions. It’s no wonder some women seem to enjoy the calls. Perhaps it’s their defence mechanism, to smile and
quickly move on. When the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements exploded in world news, I initially thought: “Why did these women choose to speak up only now?” It took me some time to notice that I had actually lived through the answer multiple times. If I had spoken up sooner, rather than later, I would I have been immediately shot down with: “Keep quiet, that’s our culture. You can’t take these men seriously; that’s just how they are.” I note the #MeToo women first came together before they famously retaliated. Will we Saint Lucian women ever think enough of ourselves to unite in our own interests—in
particular, against sexual harassment? I’m holding my breath. Will we come to realize that taking this stand will also be striking a blow against sexual and other abuses of children? The Director of Human Services, Elizabeth Lewis, once revealed to me that the majority of child sexual abuse cases occur in the home, committed by men in the family. She also said that many victims’ parents withdraw their co-operation in cases of sexual crimes, before they reach the courts, which leaves Human Services hogtied. ---Claudia Eleibox
ST. LUCIAN FISHERMAN MAKES INTERNATIONAL WAVES THROUGH GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITY
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stablished in 1992, the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) is a multilateral donor agency with the goal of tackling pressing environmental issues in countries across the globe. Through its Small Grants Program (SGP), funding for over 18,000 projects in 124 countries has been established. Saint Lucia is one of the member countries, and last year a total of EC$3.51million was invested here, with 17 new projects being implemented. This brought the total investment in Saint Lucia as at 31 December, 2017 to EC$9.832 million. On 1 June the fifth annual GEF SGP report for Saint Lucia was presented. National Co-ordinator of GEF SGP Giles Romulus is pleased with the quality of work the organisation was able to accomplish last year but acknowledges there is still much room for growth. “With the funding of 17 new projects in 2017,” he said, “that increased the number of projects we’ve funded between 2012 and 2017 to 74. 222 persons were employed last year through our projects, and that brought the total of employed persons to 1,021.”
In addition to employment, 865 persons also received training in apiculture, diving, coral reef monitoring and marketing, among other areas. One area that needs to be improved, Giles said, is “the spatial spread”. The majority of implemented projects last year were on the west Coast, with two on the east Coast. “We have to do something about that. Projects are now amalgamated in Soufriere and Canaries/Anse La Raye, and now the east coast has about four projects." One project which stood out, centres on the remarkable story of a Laborie fisherman. An ecstatic Dr. Gale Rigobert gave insight into the internationally acclaimed project: five years ago, following a GEF meeting, a fisherman named Karlis Noel developed a plan for a desalination project in his community. The minister beamed as she spelled out the result: “It was the first generation prototype, solardriven, mobile and brine neutralizing system!” A report from the Caribbean Public Health Agency to determine its efficiency concluded: “The desalination plant was very efficient. This
Left to right: Dr. Gale Rigobert, fisherman and entrepreneur Karlis Noel, Hon. Herold Stanislas and Giles Romulus, National Co-ordinator of GEF SGP,
self-sufficient system will provide water security for the village of Laborie.” Far from Saint Lucia's shores, another island would soon be lining up for this invention. Nauru, with a population of approximately 10,000, suffers from a scarcity of adequate water
as a consequence of the underground water supply becoming unusable, thanks to salt-water intrusion. International appeals were made by NGOs there for proposals to remedy the situation, and Mr. Noel submitted his suggestion. "Ladies and gentlemen,”
said a dramatic Ms Rigobert, “it is now with great pleasure, honour and humility that I inform you that the fisherman’s proposal was selected for implementation in the Republic of Nauru!” Education minister, Ms Rigobert added: “Mr. Noel is self-taught and did not
complete secondary school.” An agreement has been signed, and designs for the project are now in the works. The minister hopes this achievement will be an incentive for our young people and nation to become more innovative. --- Joshua St. Aimee
