Hundreds of people gathered at the Botanical Gardens this weekend to mark International Women’s Day by taking part in a 5K walk aimed at raising awareness about gender-based violence.

The event, titled Men & Women United 2026: Stop Gender-Based Violence 5K Walk, was organised by Integrated Health Outreach in partnership with the Directorate of Gender Affairs.

Now in its third year, the walk has continued to grow, drawing large crowds dressed in orange — the colour widely used to symbolise the fight against violence against women.

Many participants wore shirts carrying the message “A Shelter Is A Must”, highlighting calls for the establishment of a dedicated safe house for women experiencing violence in Antigua and Barbuda.

Telecommunications company Flow was among the sponsors supporting the event.