The Rotaract Club of Antigua has made a lasting mark on the country following the successful hosting of the Rotaract District 7030 Conference, Linked in Wadadli, through two landmark initiatives: the installation of the nation's first-ever Peace Pole and the launch of Supporting Her Flow Collective, a regional programme addressing menstrual health and dignity. According to Antigua News Room, both initiatives were unveiled as part of the conference's community service programme.
A highlight of the conference was the installation of the Peace Pole at Mount St. John's Medical Centre. Inscribed with the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in multiple languages, Peace Poles are internationally recognised monuments promoting peace, hope, unity, and understanding. Thousands have been erected around the world in schools, hospitals, parks, and public spaces as enduring reminders that peace begins with the individual.
The installation reflects Rotary International's commitment to peacebuilding, one of the organisation's seven Areas of Focus. Through humanitarian service, leadership, education, and community partnerships, Rotary and Rotaract continue to promote dialogue, understanding, and conflict prevention worldwide.
Representatives from several Rotaract clubs across District 7030 participated in the unveiling, making presentations in both English and French — symbolising the diversity of the Caribbean district and reinforcing that the message of peace transcends borders and languages.
Community Service Director 2025–2026 Kayah Ward reminded attendees that while many Caribbean nations are fortunate not to experience armed conflict, peace remains a universal human right that must be intentionally nurtured every day. She encouraged Rotarians and Rotaractors to view the Peace Pole not merely as a monument, but as a daily call to promote compassion, dialogue, and service within their homes, clubs, communities, and countries.
District Governor 2025–2026 Soraya Warner-Gustave praised the Rotaract clubs of District 7030 for introducing the Peace Pole initiative, noting that peacebuilding remains central to Rotary's global mission. She expressed pride in seeing the district's young leaders translate Rotary's values into tangible action, creating a legacy she said would inspire generations to come.
Representing Mount St. John's Medical Centre, Ms. Emelda Benjamin thanked the Rotaract Club of Antigua for selecting the institution as the home of the Peace Pole. Reflecting on the ceremony, she described what she believed was its most powerful message: "Peace is not abstract. Peace must be intentional." Benjamin added that the monument will serve as a lasting reminder of peace, not only within the medical centre, but throughout Antigua and Barbuda.
The conference also saw the launch of Supporting Her Flow Collective, a regional service initiative focused on improving access to menstrual hygiene products and raising awareness of period poverty.
In the months leading up to the conference, every delegate was encouraged to travel with at least one package of sanitary products. What began as a simple request grew into a collective act of service, as delegates from across District 7030 contributed to the initiative. Conference Community Service Lead Romancier Edwards expressed appreciation to every delegate whose donation made the programme possible, describing the response as a direct reflection of the generosity and shared commitment to service demonstrated by Rotaractors throughout the district.
The initiative received further support from Frank B. Armstrong, who donated five cases of sanitary napkins, significantly increasing the volume of products available for distribution.
A portion of the donated supplies was presented to Mount St. John's Medical Centre to support patients who may have difficulty accessing essential menstrual hygiene products. Conference Co-Chair Sherwyn Greenidge reflected on the significance of the moment during the presentation. "This donation reflects the generosity and unity of Rotaractors from across District 7030, working together to support the health and well-being of the people of Antigua and Barbuda," he said. "We hope these items will make a meaningful contribution to the work of the dedicated doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals who serve our community every day."
A second donation of sanitary products was made at Rotary House, where Conference Co-Chair Dr. Namadi Belle presented supplies to Ms. Tanya Ambrose of Scrub Life Cares — an organisation dedicated to supporting healthcare professionals and improving community health through outreach, advocacy, and practical assistance to those most in need.
During the presentation, Ambrose emphasised that period poverty extends well beyond the lack of access to sanitary products. She described it as encompassing broader barriers to managing menstruation safely and with dignity, including product costs, limited access to clean water and safe bathrooms, inadequate menstrual health education, stigma, and the absence of supportive environments in schools, workplaces, and community spaces.
Conference organisers noted that Supporting Her Flow Collective demonstrated the true meaning of international service — delegates from across the Caribbean uniting behind a shared purpose and proving that small individual contributions, when combined, can create meaningful and lasting impact. Attendees were challenged to envision Antigua and Barbuda, and the wider Caribbean, as a truly period-friendly society where no one feels ashamed, unsupported, or limited because they menstruate.
As Antigua and Barbuda hosted the Rotaract District 7030 Conference for the first time in over two decades, these two initiatives have left behind more than memories. The Peace Pole will stand as a permanent reminder that peace requires intention, while Supporting Her Flow Collective will continue advancing dignity, health, and hope through service — together embodying the conference theme, Linked in Wadadli.
