National Level Activities

The CAFRA National Committees have been fully involved in the Domestic Violence Intervention Training Programme in the participating countries.

National Representatives have responded to various requests from the Secretariat in terms of research/disseminating information, and representing CAFRA at meetings.

Barbados

CAFRA Barbados initiated a national level meeting to deal with Gender Mainstreaming, following the watershed meeting CAFRA hosted with Coordiantors of Women’s Bureaus.

In additiont he membership were actively organising and fund raising for the training of Police Officers and Social Workers under the Domestic Violence Intervention Project.

CAFRA Barbados is also supporting a Children’s Reading Group initiated by Regional Committee Member, Ife Harris.

Bahamas

CAFRA Bahamas conducted a campaign to make women aware of Breast Cancer prevention, detection and treatment, and the need for all pregnant women to take a HIV/AIDS Test.

Cuba

The Federation of Cuban Women conducted major research on the incidence of HIV/AIDS. The research indicated that among the main causes of infant deaths due to HIV globally, is the inability of families to access medicine, due to limited economic resources. Costs vary between 4-5 thousand US dollars per year.

Cuba’s health care system is accessible to all and free, and Cuba as a poor under-developed country, boasts of having the lowest number of men and women infected with HIV/AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Curacao

Although not a participating country in the Domestic Violence Intervention Training Programme, CAFRA Curacao fundraised to send two Police Officers to the training programme in Jamaica.

The Committee also participated in a Exhibition of thek work of Women’s Artists, and activities for the International Year of Culture and Peace (2000).

The Committee is lobbying against Structural Adjustment Policies which are being introduced into the non-independent Dutch territories.

Guyana

CAFRA Guyna published 1000 copies of the Reader for Women Studies. The proceeds from sales are to be used for CAFRA activities. Sales are however quite slow.

The second project on young women had tobe put on hold because of the Domestic Violence Intervention Training Project.

The training program was launched on 21st September and attracted a capacity audience and wide media coverage with live broadcast on radio. Five Training Sessions were already held in which 200 Officers, including Police Inspectors were trained. Generous donations were received which allowed the distribution of bags to everyone attending the launch.

CAFRA Guyana celebrated Women’s Day under the Theme -"Women 200-Gender Equality". The CAFRA Press Release was used widely. A specific event was carried out to raise funds for the Cecelia Babb Family Tragedy, and an amount of US$170 was raised.

Jamaica

CAFRA Jamaica was mainly engaged in Skills Training for economic development, parenting, domestic violence intervention and lobbying of Government and other policy makers.

In collaboration with SISTREN Theatre Collective, CAFRA conducted two one-day workshops in Screen-Printing, Tie Dye; and Parenting Skills. It is expected that the women will pass on the skills to their groups and eventually develop an income-generating project.

Jamaica was host to the training of 100 trainers for the Domestic Violence Intervention Project, and plans are being made for the training of the Police Force.

Three CAFRA members were trained in the use of the Internet, and one was trained in WebPage design.

CAFRA Jamaica successfully lobbied Government on ratifying the Treaty on the International Criminal Court; The Lobby continues on the requirement for a woman being required to use her husband’s name in her passport even if she does not use his name as her official name; and for the introduction of a Sexual Harassment Bill.

CAFRA Jamaica actively collaborates with other women’s organisations in Jamaica in an effort to build the women’s movement in that country.

It was noted that in Jamaica for the year, there were eighty-two (82) women murdered, seven hundred and twenty-seven (727) Rape cases and four hundred and thirty-one (431)reports of Carnal Abuse.

In terms of employment, as at October 1999 there were one hundred and fourteen thousand (114,000) unemployed females as compared with sixty four thousand eight hundred (64,800) men.

Puerto Rico

CAFRA Puerto Rico conducted a training programme for fifteen (15) young mothers in production and sale of medical plants.

An evaluation of the Legal Aid School was also conducted, and three new courses ere added.

A training Course was also held withten (10) participants to equip them to work in tribunals that dealw ith cases of victims of Domestic Violence.

CAFRA Puerto Rico participated in the World March for Women, and in conjunction with the organization of Puerto Rican Domestic Workers, organised a March on 12th October against poverty.

CAFRA Puerto Rico also participated in the 20th anniversary activities of Taller Salud, and CLADEM as a representative of CAFRA.

Three CAFRA members received training in the use of the Internet and WebPage design.

CAFRA St. Croix

CAFRA St. Croix continues its activism on HIV/AIDS Prevention and treatment.

Posters and Information leaflets were distributed widely in Public Libraries, the Department of Education, Schools, Beauty Shops, Barber Shops, a Church and Businesses owned or partially owned by women. In addition assistance was given to distribute condoms at a street festival held four times per year. CAFRA St. Croix is also conducting a Research Project on the Status of Women in the Virgin Islands, in three areas - Political Involvement, HIV/AIDS and Mental Health.

Four members benefited from Computer Training, individualized for each participant’s needs.

CAFRA St. Vincent

CAFRA St. Vincent reported that it was operating in an atmosphere of political unrest. There were increasing cses of violence, murder, rape, incest and drug-related crime. There was also an increase in poverty due to problems in the banana industry.

In spite of these problems, the CAFRA National Committee undertook the following:
1. Advocacy on the Beijing Platform for action, utilising the Local Radio.
2. Training for crop diversification to reduce dependency on bananas, under the Women in Agriculture Project.
3. Supporting Adult Education, through honouring of an Adult Education Pioneer on International Women’s Day, and contributing to Literacy Classes among school drop-outs in a rural community.
4. Distribution of the Newsletter "Zero Tolerance".
5. Preparatory work for the Domestic Violence Intervention Training Programme, including setting up of the National Steering Committee and appointment of the in-country Coordinator.

CAFRA Dominican Republic

CAFRA Dominican Republic carried out follow-up activities to the Latin America and Caribbean Feminist Encounter, and the regional Workshop on Human Rights and rafficking of Women.

Five members were engaged in Computer training, and another in English as part of the capacity-building project.

CAFRA Belize

CAFRA Belize was engaged in capacity building of its membership, and preparations for the Domestic Violence Intervention Training Project.

Suriname

CAFRA Suriname continued its Domestic Violence Intervention training programme for Police and Social Workers.

Trinidad and Tobago

CAFRA T&T continued its PROLEAD project which provided leadership training skills to young women. They were asked to do community projects and were engaged in putting a public relations strategy in place for CAFRA T&T.

CAFRA St. Lucia

CAFRA St. Lucia was active in preparing for the Domestic Violence Intervention Training Project, and hosted a meeting of in-country Coordinators for the project.