Speaking up against domestic violence is critical and being a woman is not a limitation! This and a change in mindset is the message brought out by Heartland Alliance LTD/GTE during the 2021 International Women’s Day celebration themed “Choose to Challenge”

HALG had a panel discussion with a four-discussant representative of the four critical pillars of sustainability and women’s resilience, Mental Health, access to justice, and violence against women.

To allow for Audience participation, questions were asked and clarification provided around the four critical pillars by the panelist. Questions asked were around how to become empowered and gain a competitive edge as women in business, where to get help as sex workers in an event of violence and abuse while other women in the audience shared their life experiences

There was a legal clinic with one participant seeing the legal facilitator discuss issues around her child’s welfare. Testing and counseling was done for 9 participants, PrEP was offered along with other prevention messaging and mental health counseling to the participants

At the end of the session, there was a rise in awareness from the women around;

Reporting of violence, where and how to report, need for women to become self-sustaining and, a sign of general courage to speak up about life experiences among the participants. Participants expressed gratitude to Heartland Alliance for the opportunity to be heard as they “Choose to challenge”