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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Young GBHRA official gets Director’s Cup during Bahamas' National Youth Month
By Grand Bahama Human Rights Association (GBHRA)
Nov 21, 2016 - 11:59:16 PM
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Leon Williams, CEO of BTC; Jasper Ward; Darron Turnquest, Director of Youth
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UOB student Jasper Ward produced the human rights group's impressive PSA series defending gender equality in the run-up to the June 2016 referendum
The Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture has named promising young activist Jasper Ward as the recipient of this year’s Director’s Cup – one of the top annual awards issued for National Youth Month.
The Cup is awarded to the young person who best embodies leadership and dedication to their work – always in the trenches doing what needs to be done, never asking for recognition.
Jasper has volunteered with the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association (GBHRA) since July 2015, when she joined the team as a social media coordinator.
“I first started out simply advocating for equality and rule of law via the production of short PSAs,” she said. “But, as the time progressed, I decided that I wanted to take my advocacy to another level.”
Her public service announcements (PSA) have covered a range of topics including gender equality, citizenship for migrants who qualify and the importance fundamental human rights.
GBHRA Secretary General Paco Nunez said: “We could not be more proud of Jasper. She is a talented, determined and hardworking individual who is quickly developing into a top-notch advocate for human rights.
“Already she has established herself as a leader in our organisation and continues to attract many thoughtful and engaged young people to the cause of fundamental human rights.
“Her PSA series for the gender equality was simply amazing. She thoroughly deserves this award, which I as sure is the first of many great things to come."
Recently, Jasper was promoted to GBHRA Assistant Secretary General, in charge of organising and managing social media and community initiatives as well as membership.
Already, she has overseen a significant expansion in membership in New Providence, created an active social media presence and represented the GBHRA at the 51st Amnesty International Annual General Meeting.
“The Amnesty conference was an amazing experience,” Jasper said. “Not only did I get network and gain support for other activists from around the world, I was also able to learn new approaches to advocacy, on a range of issues, from persons who had been in the field for years.”
She is currently working on launching a human rights education campaign for GBHRA, which is expected to be launched early 2017. Jasper said she hopes this project can help to educate not only the young, but also older Bahamians about their fundamental rights under the Bahamas Constitution and UN Declaration of Human Rights.
“What’s the point of advocacy if people don’t even know their rights are being trampled?” she asked. “I hope we can just teach people about their rights, why they're important and how to stand up when they’re being violated – that’s all.”
Jasper is senior year at the University of The Bahamas and plans to pursue a master’s in international development or human rights next fall.
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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