The Division of Gender Relations of the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations will be hosting a Clothesline Project at the Vieux Fort Independence Square tomorrow, Nov. 28 from 11 a.m.

The Clothesline Project is a visual display that bears witness to violence against women and children. The project comprises T-shirts designed by survivors of abuse and those who have lost loved ones to it. The shirts are hung on a clothesline display to honor survivors and memorialize victims; help with the healing process for survivors and people who have lost a loved one to violence; and educate, document, and raise society's awareness on violence and crime against women and children.

The Clothesline Project was first introduced to Saint Lucia in 2011 by TOCO (They Often Cry Outreach) a US-based non-profit organization founded by Saint Lucian recording artiste and UNICEF Champion for Children in Saint Lucia, Taj Weekes.

In previous years the event was hosted in collaboration with the Saint Lucia Crisis Centre, Options Designs and media partner HTS/Radio100 Helen FM.

A common color coding is used to represent the different dimensions of violence against women and children. White is used for women and children who have died as a result of domestic violence; yellow or beige is used for those who have been battered or assaulted; red, pink or orange is used for victims of rape or sexual assault; blue or green for survivors of incest; and purple or lavender for women and children who have been attacked because of their sexual orientation/identification.

The Clothesline Project originated with 31 shirts in Hyannis, MA, in 1990 through the Cape Cod Women's Agenda. A small group of women, many of whom had experienced violence in their own lives, designed the visual monument to help transform staggering statistics about violence against women and children into a powerful educational and healing tool. They decided to use a clothesline after discussing how many women in close-knit neighborhoods have traditionally exchanged information over backyard fences while hanging laundry out to dry.

The Clothesline Project breaks the silence about violence against women and children by giving a voice to survivors, victims and advocates. Since 1990, hundreds of Clothesline Projects have emerged worldwide, resulting in tens of thousands of shirt designs bearing witness to violence against women.

Persons attending the event should bring along a plain T-shirt on which they can create a personal message against all forms of violence against women and children.

The Clothesline Project commemorates the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence observed annually from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Nov. 25, to World Human Rights Day on Dec. 10.