Take a stand, says NOW head

Businesses and Government are being urged to withhold financial support from Crop Over bands whose revellers are largely naked under their body paint.
The call came yesterday from president of the National Organization of Women Marilyn Rice-Bowen during a NOW installation service at St James Parish Church.
“I . . . want to send a message to the women who decided to paint their bodies for Crop Over,” she said.
“We, the National Organization of Women, condemn that move and we are asking corporate Barbados and even Government and any entities that financially support any Crop Over bands that are involved in this practice to withhold their funds and we are also asking women who play mas’ and you recognize that this is going on in your particular band to come out of that band.”
She added: “You women must take a stand; if we as people don’t take a stand now, this will get out of hand, so [we in] the National Organization of Women strongly condemn that move and we are asking you to support us as we go along.” (RL)