Dear Editor,
It’s not an easy mission by any stretch of the imagination, keeping the doors open and offering shelter for battered women and children in St. Maarten. Safe Haven’s consecutive boards and management worked tirelessly to help women and their families through what can arguably be the toughest times of their lives.
Safe Haven’s presence and the critical role it plays in our society’s safety network is warranted, appreciated and must continue to be supported by everyone. This includes receiving much-needed and continuous support from our business community as well. Gender-based violence, domestic violence, relational violence remain very delicate matters that affect us all, directly or indirectly.
It was a pleasure to celebrate this milestone in the presence of a diverse group of participants attending the seminar on the subject “Gender Based Violence” (GBV). Keynote-speakers from Aruba Ms. Cynthia Quant, Gender Based Violence Coordinator, and Mr. Brian Verschuur, a Positive Masculinity Officer, made a very sensitive subject (GBV) recognisable by engaging the very appreciative attendees in their presentation.
I firmly believe there’s a lot of room left to achieve a better quality of life for all here in St. Maarten, once we commit to working together in combatting violence in general and gender-based violence in particular.
Peridot Foundation applauds the current board and its managing director Ms. Rachida Boyrad for a job well done. Continue the good work at Safe Haven on behalf of and for our community. God Bless and strengthen you in all that you do to make our island a more kinder and safer nation.
Gracita Arrindell
President, Peridot Foundation
