The document summarizes the launch event of the "Tek it To Dem & Rise Up Wi Community" violence against women project by Sistren Theatre Collective. Over 160 people attended the successful launch event at Knutsford Court Hotel on May 13, 2009, including community members, stakeholders, and representatives from government agencies and academia. The event included presentations on the project goals and baseline research findings, performances by drama groups depicting the impact of violence on women, and a musical performance by reggae artist Tarrus Riley. The Sistren website was also launched to promote the project.

1. Tek it to Dem & Rise Up Wi CommunityA Violence Against Women Project Launch held May 13, 2009 Sistren Theatre Collective & Partners Funded by The UN Trust Fund To End Violence Against Women

2. Ms. Donna Harriott, MC welcomes audience of over 160 community residents, stakeholder agencies, partners, representatives from government agencies , academia, media to the launch of Tek it To Dem & Rise Up Wi Community on May 13, 2009 at the Knutsford Court Hotel

3. L-R 1st row: Mrs. Mary Clarke, Child Advocate, UWI Dept of Gender Studies, Mrs. Saundra Bailey, Chair Sistren; 2nd row Bryan Jacas& Jennifer Williams of Dispute Resolution Foundation, Mr. Minh Pham, UN Resident Representative

4. Section of the audience including residents of Rockfort and Hannah Town

5. Drummers heralding the vibes for the launch

6. Mrs. Saundra Bailey, Chairman of Board, Sistren Theatre Collective officially launches Tek it to Dem & Rise Up Wi Community

7. R-L Mrs. Faith Webster, Exec. Director Bureau of Women’s affairs, Ms. Roberta Clarke, Regional Director UNIFEM, Dr. ImaniTafari-Ama, Consultant on Baseline Research, Ms. Myrna McKenzie, Project Manager

8. Mrs. Faith Webster, Executive Director of the Bureau of Women’s Affairs (BWA) brings greetings on behalf of Minister Hon Olivia Grange, Minister with responsibility for Gender Affairs, and the BWA

9. Sistren Staff standing R-L Ricardo Nicholas, Joy Erskine, Neil McIntyre (CPTC), Marlon Moore, Patrick Williams, Danielle Toppin , and the rest of the audience listen attentively

10. Myrna McKenzie, Project Manager talks about the project concept and the national implications for Violence Against Women

11. Audience listens as Myrna McKenzie, Project Manager talks about the birth of the project and all the Sistren drama that went into its development

12. Among the audience 2nd row R-L Ms. Hermoine McKenzie, AWOJA, resident Rockfort , and Mrs. Angela Brown Burke, CouncillorRockfort Division. Standing Mrs Myrtle Rose, Keda Gaye-Duffus and Alwyn Allen of Sistren, and Mr. Orville Simmonds, Community Action Coordinator CSJP

13. Ms. Roberta Clarke, Regional Director UNIFEM delivers the Keynote Address in which she spoke about the research findings and challenges for Sistren

14. 2nd from right Hon. Peter Bunting, Opposition Spokesperson on National Security among captive audience

15. Audience listens

16. Standing R-L Joy Erskine -Drumming Specialist (STC), Neil McIntyre, CPTC, Marlon Moore and Patrick Williams, Male Development Specialists, Danielle Toppin, Research Asst. among audience

17. Dr. ImaniTafari, Consultant discusses findings from the baseline study

18. Audience listens attentively to baseline findings

19. R-L Ms. Saundra Latibeaudiere, Social Worker and Ms. Naketa West, Psychology Student from UWI , members of the project team among audience

20. Kymani Sharpe resident of Rockfort speaks about what the project means to the communities

21. Section of the audience listening attentively

22. The Hannah Town & Parade Gardens Drama Groups trained by Sistren Theatre Collective

23. Section of audience

24. “Women & Gang Violence” a powerful presentation written and directed by Donna Harriott

25. Cindy Green of Hannah Town Cultural Group weeps at the loss of a loved one in the play “Women & Gang Violence” performed by the Hannah Town & Parade Gardens Drama Groups

26. Audience watches performance

27. Members of Hannah Town and Parade Gardens Drama Groups performing “Women & Gang Violence”

28. Hannah Town and Parade Gardens Drama Groups exit stage after a powerful performance depicting the role of women in gang violence and calling for an end to violence

29. “Start A New” Riley declares in his song against domestic violence

30. Section of the audience enjoying Tarrus Riley’s powerful rendition of “Start A New”

31. Tarrus Riley singing against domestic violence

32. Riley has the audience rocking

33. Tarrus Riley performs his megahit “She’s Royal” in celebration of women

34. Audience enjoying the performance

35. Camera phones capturing Riley as he performs

36. Riley woos the audience with his “She’s Royal” hit

37. Riley accepts token from Board Chair, Mrs. Saundra Bailey

38. Audience awaits the launch of the website

39. Myrna McKenzie, Project Manager hits the button to launch The Sistren Website

40. Sistren Theatre Collective Website goes live http://sistrentheatrecollective.com

41. Kevan Douglas Tekking it to the Audience

42. Let the Drums talk

43. Job Tekking it to the audience

44. Ms. Lana Finikin, Executive Director and Founding Member of Sistren delivering the Vote of Thanks

45. Lana Finikin, Executive Director beams with pride at the success of the launch

46. Section of audience

47. Audience mingling after the launch

48. After launch mingling