In Her Heels, Jamaican Men Strut Against Gender Violence

In an effort to bring greater awareness to violence against women in Jamaica, several men participated in the walk a mile in her shoes – the International Men’s March to stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence. Several men in women’s flats or heels journeying around the ring road at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.Their purpose is to bring awareness to violence against women and calling for perpetrators to end their abuse.

Among those who marched was the Executive Director of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica, who is hoping that this will send a message to men.

“Well, I have a beautiful wife and a lovely daughter and I just cant contemplate violence against women. I will do anything to support the cause. I am for it. They asked me to come along and put on a pair of ladies slippers and if that is the hardest thing I can do to support, it is an easy thing to do,” Cordel Green says.

The journey in women’s shoes was unbearable for some of the men who relied on women for assistance in completing the journey, but they eventually fulfilled the task.

“I think it was a very worthy cause. We do not pay enough attention to this issue of violence against women and anything I can do to heighten the awareness Im all for it,” Glen Campbell who was a participant at the event added.

Mary Seacole Hall played an integral part in the coordination of the event. The Student Services and Development Manager says the walk is a call for men to get involved.

“It is a message symbolically representing the silent campaign saying that women are not going to keep silent about issues affecting them,” says Nadeen Spence, Student Services and Development Manager, Mary Seacole.

KHADIJAH THOMAS