The Do-Nation Foundation Inc. hosted its Unified Voices Panel Discussion as part of the “Unified Voices: Engendering Change Through Peace” Project. It created a platform for critical dialogue on human rights, inclusion, youth empowerment, and social equity in Saint Lucia.
The forum brought together a diverse panel, including Director of Gender Relations Janey Joseph, Inspector Sisley Baptiste of the Vulnerable Persons Team, and Maria Fontenelle of Colours of Iyanola. Each panellist shared perspectives shaped by their professional and lived experiences, reinforcing the need for greater inclusivity and systemic change.
The discussion aimed to amplify underrepresented voices and encourage collective action towards a more inclusive and peaceful society. Topics ranged from challenges faced by rural women and persons with disabilities to the continued marginalisation of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Moderator and human rights consultant with the Do-Nation Foundation, Zachary Hippolytte, described the session as both timely and necessary.
He emphasised that the strength of the discussion came from the varied perspectives of the panellists, stating, “Our panellists… brought diverse backgrounds and …experiences when it comes to the human rights of the individuals.”
Despite progress in such discussions, Hippolytte stressed that significant gaps remain. “Folks, we have a lot of work to do, especially when it comes to services and justice,” he said, pointing to ongoing barriers faced by vulnerable communities.
He drew attention to challenges faced by the deaf community, explaining that access to information remains limited. “For example, for Deaf men and women… it is very important that we still deal with situations where those citizens don’t have access to… watching our news because there is no sign language interpreter being broadcast over our news stations,” he stated. He described this as a critical issue demanding immediate attention.
The panel also highlighted the importance of policy reform and advocacy in addressing these issues. According to Hippolytte, initiatives like the Unified Voices project aim to influence decision-makers and foster awareness. He called for tangible changes to improve accessibility and representation.
“We are trying our best to create this awareness so that our leaders could ensure that they implement policies that could ensure that these individuals… can feel that they were part of our solution.”
