THE Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness Organization (CADVA) yesterday opened a Book of Condolences for the late Dr. Faith Harding in recognition of her voluntary work with the local group.Present when this book was opened by the CADVA associate One Billion Rising Violence Caribbean Movement at the Pegasus Hotel were CADVA representatives Tracey Khan-Drakes, Tiffany Johnson and Dr. Dawn Stuart-Scott.

The local group Y3K dedicated a song, “I Listened”, in tribute to Dr. Harding, who had been very fond of those artistes and had lent them her support on numerous occasions. They were very saddened at her passing on Friday.

This all siblings group will be going to the United States of America (USA) to sing songs for CADVA/One Billion Rising Caribbean Movement, and their tickets have been sponsored by Fly Jamaica.

Fly Jamaica Marketing Representative Wesley Tucker told the press conference that the airline agreed to provide airfare for the Y3K group after it had been approached by CADVA’s Programme Director and Regional Coordinator of the One Billion Rising Campaign, . Dianne Madray.

He said that Fly Jamaica is always in support of arts and culture initiatives, and simply had to assist the talented group to ‘fly higher’, and to represent Guyana and the Caribbean in the USA at the Uprising artistic event on February 7, 2015, where artistes from around the world would be participating.

Tucker noted that the airline has supported Mystic, another local artiste, who is on tour in the USA; and Miss Guyana Universe, Niketa Barker. He expressed condolences on behalf of Fly Jamaica to the family, relatives and friends of Dr. Harding.

Dr. Dawn Stuart-Lyken’s remarks described the late Dr. Harding as a phenomenal woman, who gave her time to CADVA/One Billion Rising Caribbean Movement, and she said the late Dr Harding would be greatly missed.

She noted that Dr. Harding had always volunteered her time anytime she was called on, and was very helpful in so many ways. She said Dr. Harding’s passing came as a shock, leaving everyone very saddened.

Dr. Stuart-Lyken told the press conference that when she had first returned to Guyana, she had formed a non-governmental organisation, Monique Helping Hands, and Dr. Harding had been there to help. She reminisced on the work Dr. Harding had been involved in.

In recognition of the work of the late Dr. Harding, a weekend of activities by CADVA/One Billion Rising Caribbean Movement has been planned and billed for the National Cultural Centre.

Tiffany Johnson said yesterday that the Book of Condolences would be placed in the lobby of the Pegasus hotel until Saturday night, after which arrangements would be made for it to be placed elsewhere.

She pointed out that Dr. Harding had donated her time to offer counselling to many women and youths through CADVA/One Billion Rising Caribbean Movement, and had been termed a remarkable woman of substance.

Kwasi Cox, who spoke on behalf of the Y3K group, said members were very saddened at the news of Dr. Harding’s passing, and had talked of her unwavering support to the group and her work in CADVA/One Billion Rising Caribbean Movement.

He said they were very pleased to be representing Guyana and the Caribbean in the USA, and expressed gratitude to Fly Jamaica for making it possible for them to go to the USA. He said that, by way of supporting the organisation, they would relate their message of domestic violence through music and the arts.

Cox said Dr. Harding had been their biggest supporter, and it is sad that she would not be there to see them shine; but they cherish memories of times spent with her and the remarkable way she had celebrated her life.

Eve Ensler, best known for her book the “Vagina Monologues,” is founder of One Billion Rising, a global campaign aimed at ending violence against women and promoting gender equality. She visited Guyana last year.

The “billion” refers to the UN statistics that one in three women would be raped or beaten in their lifetime. In 2012, the One Billion Rising campaign culminated in the biggest ever mass global action to end violence against women, with tens of thousands of events held in more than 190 countries.

The movement was formally introduced to Guyana through the Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness Organization (CADVA).

Ensler, founder of ‘One Billion Rising Revolution’, was here in Guyana to promote the state of female justice, and learnt of the advent of a structured database of missing women being in the pipeline.

Ensler is known for the “Vagina Monologues”, a dramatic piece that was launched 18 years ago to raise funds to end violence against women, and was promoted in 140 countries in three languages, garnering US$125M.