Country of Origin: Barbados

Main Focus: Gender-based violence in the Caribbean and its diaspora, systemic injustices, and strategic litigation for change.

Follow on: Twitter

Dr. Marsha Hinds Myrie is a prominent advocate against gender-based violence, with a focus that spans from Barbados to the global Caribbean community, including those who have resettled in countries like Canada. Her activism is deeply personal, rooted in her own experiences of childhood sexual abuse, and academically reinforced through her position as an Activist in Residence at the University of Guelph, a role she shares with Nneka McGregor.

Her journey into activism is marked by a commitment to challenge pervasive myths and stereotypes about sexual abuse, emphasizing its indiscriminate nature across socio-economic statuses. Dr. Hinds Myrie's critique of "plantation societies" like Barbados highlights the persistent systemic inequalities and injustices that are often obscured by the region's idyllic image.

Through strategic litigation, Dr. Hinds Myrie confronts the legal system's inadequacies, securing justice for victims of gender-based violence and advocating for legal reforms that better protect the vulnerable. Her efforts include challenging the misapplication of domestic violence laws and seeking damages for survivors of abuse at government institutions, highlighting the need for systemic change.

Dr. Hinds Myrie's vision for the future involves mobilizing a new generation of activists, advocating for a unified approach to gender, racial, and environmental justice. Her work underscores the importance of resilience, speaking truth to power, and the potential for transformative change through dedicated activism. Dr. Marsha Hinds Myrie embodies the spirit of resistance and the relentless pursuit of justice in a world marked by deep-seated inequalities and challenges.