Context of The Organization

The women’s movement in the region is particularly vulnerable and endangered at a time when it is most needed. As resources lessen, the local capacity cannot meet a shortfall because the economy has suffered from failed economic policies.

The continued threats from trade liberalization agreements signed by our governments are manifested through:

1. The accelerated loss of agricultural and to tourism and housing.

2. The promotion of tourism over agriculture – The importance of agriculture to the region cannot be over-emphasized, not only in terms of its economic benefits, but also for its social, cultural and political benefits in relation to food security – having enough to eat, and food sovereignty – having control of what you eat.

3. Moves to privatize water in many countries of the region.

4. Threats from trade liberalization – Caribbean agriculture cannot compete against the lower cost of production in other countries. In many agricultural decline is also accompanied by a loss of manufacturing capacity, and take over of family firms by foreign companies.

5. Increasing indebtedness – In some countries, the external debt is as high as 65% of Gross Domestic Product.

6. Increases in criminality and violence – Gang activity is prevalent in many countries. There are reports of gang rape of girls, and more violence in schools. There is an increase in the presence of guns in the society, and trafficking in women.

7. Social alienation – There is an increase in suicides among farmers, and even among children. Many women have migrated in search of greener pastures, leaving young children behind. There is indifference about the deterioration in the quality of life.

8. Loss of faith in the governments’ willingness, or ability to deal with events.

The Caribbean region is uniting itself in several processes at the government level – Association of Caribbean States, the EU/ACP Cotonou Agreement, the Free Trade Area of the Americas and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). All these processes develop policy, which could be beneficial to the people of the region, but specifically, the FTAA and CSME processes have to be WTO compatible, resulting in the negative impacts already outlined. Within this context, women are most affected.