The power within to make a difference

ISSUES relating to discrimination and social exclusion dominated the agenda for the conference “The Power Within: Love Your Body, Love You” held recently at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business.

All presenters including Harnaam Kaur, motivational speaker articulated on critical factors which contribute to occurrences of discrimination, bullying, suicide and depression, stereotyping and other issues.

Presenting on “I Am Human – Different But Equal”, Dr Jacqueline Huggins, manager, Student Life and Development at the University of the West Indies (UWI), addressed key areas that impact the co-existence of people living with disabilities.

Huggins said, “People are not disabled but rather they are people living with a disability; the stigma about disabled persons must stop.” She challenged participants to change their mindset of thinking negatively about people who are living with disabilities, and instead think positively.

Huggins issued a strong call for respect for all humans even if they’re different.

Head of the Institute for Gender and Development Studies at UWI, Dr Gabrielle Hosein spoke on “Gender Equality and Gender Expression”, w covering the gamut of issues that negatively affect women including economic inequalities, discrimination and differences in role. She also spoke on abortion which is still viewed as shameful despite the circumstances which affected women may be subjected to.

Violence against women was also a major area of focus. “The state needs to look at abuse against women more seriously,” she said. Hosein spoke extensively on the challenges which usually impede the progress of women including stereotyping.

She referenced differences in domestic roles and wages, coupled with the burden of working and having to take care of children.

She advocated for change which requires collective organisation.

“Rising to The Challenges of Bullying, Depression and Suicide” was the theme of Professor Gerard Hutchinson’s presentation. The head of the Clinical Medical Sciences Department at UWI and Head of Psychiatric Services at the North Central Regional Authority said: “Power and control are at the core of the minds of bullies; their power is felt through the pain they inflict on others; attacking and destroying others in order to feel powerful and ultimately becoming powerful through others’ grief.” Hutchinson also lamented on the psychological and behavioural effects caused by bullying which include depression and suicide.

Looking at “Pre-Conceived Notions and Overcoming Stigma”, head of the Citizen Security Programme (Ministry of National Security) and youth activist, Gregory Sloane-Seale noted that gender roles in the family and in relationships must be clearly defined and that men need to be continually working within themselves and their families in an effort to bring about positive changes. Kaur, who is body shaming activist shared the experiences of the struggles she endured through bullying due to her medical condition.

Kaur admits “bullying falls on deaf ears at times from the people who ought to protect us from bullying.” She issued a public plea to stop self-blame, live with love and faith, celebrate yourself and your life, and most importantly, thank your bullies for breaking you because they made you stronger! Professor Rhoda Reddock, Deputy Principal of the UWI chaired the closing panel of the conference.

A major outcome of this event is the preparation of a working document intended to serve as a blueprint for treating with discrimination and social exclusion for submission to regional heads for review prior to public disclosure.

Sandrine Rattan is a communications/branding consultant, author and president of the International Women’s Resource Network (IWRN), thecorporatesuitett@ gmail.com or intlwomensresourcenetwork@ gmail.

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