'We’ve lost our daughter'

The disappearance and murder of 20-year-old University of Technology (UTech) student, Anisa Dilworth in May sparked outrage across several sectors in Jamaica, with many condemning yet another case of gender-based violence.

On Saturday, a ceremony celebrating the life of the first year student in the Bachelor of Science's Pharmaceutical technology department in the College of Health Sciences at UTech, was held at the Jarreton Baptist Church in Watt Town, St Ann and despite the solemn occasion, hope sprung anew that Dilworth's death was not in vain.

The service came three months after the young woman's skeletal remains were found on a beach in Portmore, St Catherine, 10 days after she disappeared.

After the service, Anisa's remains, in a beautiful purple, blue and white coffin, which in no way reflected the occasion, was buried in the family plot in Watt Town, probably bringing closure for some, to a most despicable act.

Subsequent to the discovery of Anisa's remains, a taxi driver who sometimes transported Dilworth from the university to Gordon Town, where she boarded, was charged for the murder and is currently before the court.

Saturday's ceremony drew tears from several of those paying tribute to her, including relatives and friends alike, and most importantly, heralded changes at UTech, which will begin in the new academic year in September.

Doing “probably the toughest thing” he'd ever done, UTech President Dr Kevin Brown, in paying tribute, lauded the impact the young lady had despite her brief time at the institution, and spoke about changes that will be made going forward.

Brown led a delegation of the top tier from UTech, including Shermaine Barrett, professor of adult education and workforce development and deputy president and provost; Professor Adella Campbell, dean of the College of Health Science; Dr Lisa Bromfield, head of the School of Pharmacy, accompanied by Percival Roberts, president of the Students' Union; along with several members of the Students' Union; students from the School of Pharmacy; and other faculty members, including from the western campus, signaling the immense support that the university gave to the family.

“I want to express heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of Anisa; her father Everton Dilworth who I feel like I've gotten to know him so much now I could probably call him my brother.

“On behalf of the University of Technology, I want to offer this tribute although I know that words are wholly inadequate to express the depth of pain and grief that we feel at the loss of Anisa,” the president said.

“We've lost our daughter but we're grateful to have known Anisa during her short but impactful time at UTech. She had just completed her first year of study in the Bachelor of Science's [for] pharmaceutical technology in the College of Health Sciences, having joined the university in August 2024. She was passionate about her field and quickly stood out as a quiet, purposeful young woman with a deep sense of compassion.”

He said, from the beginning, Anisa showed great interest in making a difference and was an active member of the UTech Pharmaceutical Technology Students' Association, playing a meaningful role in the association's outreach efforts. She gave freely of her time, coordinating donations of food and sanitary items for children's homes at Easter and Christmas as well as helping fundraising for school outreach initiatives.

Brown said Anisa's entry to UTech last year reflected the fulfilment of a dream that was formed nine years ago when she, then 11 years old, accompanied her father, then a student at the institution, to the campus. A photograph of her visit was printed in the funeral programme.

“That dream became a reality when she entered the Pharmaceutical Technology programme; it is now our duty to honour that dream,” Brown said.

“As a nation we must do more. We must confront the epidemic of gender-based violence that continues to rob us of our women, our girls, our future leaders. Our job is to protect our women, to care our women, to love our women. That's our job, nothing else.

“No parent should ever have to receive a call like the one Mr Dilworth received asking him to identify his child. No family should have to endure such unimaginable heartbreak.”

Brown said UTech continues to review and strengthen its security protocols, especially for students living off campus, to better ensure their safety and wellbeing.

“We'll be introducing several new measures in September to better protect our students and we're working very closely with the Students' Union who are also passionate about this issue.

“In fact, in the wake of the loss of Anisa, the Students' Union led a peaceful march to call for an end to violence against women and girls and to advocate for justice protection and change.”

This march took place in May, from the UTech campus in Papine to Gordon Town where Anisa boarded and served as both an expression of solidarity and a call for meaningful change.

“That call must continue!” Brown declared.

“UTech will always mourn the loss of Anisa; we are committed to honouring her life through meaningful action. Beyond the new security protocols that we will introduce, in the coming months the Students' Union, her former colleagues in the College of Health Science are working on a memorial tribute.

“And we aim to also actualise the Anisa Dilworth Memorial Scholarship; this will ensure her legacy will not only live on but it will help support many students for years to come.

“We're also seeking to introduce a campus night shuttle that will take students home, in the vicinities around UTech. So, after 9 p.m., they won't need to call a taxi; our university will take them home.

“So, we hope from this tragedy there will be tangible action, tangible legacies that last a lifetime; and we continue to pray for her family at this very difficult time,” Brown said.

editorial@gleanerjm.com