Regional Level Activities

CAFRA was invited to make a presentation at the Third Ministerial Conference on Women held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from 5-7 October, 1999.

CAFRA noted that:

“Since 1995 there is evidence that economic and political forces have been responsible for measures and policies, which run counter to the commitments made by Governments for implementing the Platform for Action. Many existing and subsequent policy decisions are in direct contradiction to the promises made. For example, few national budgets address gender imbalances in resource allocation, and labour legislation continues to deny domestic workers the rights and protection enjoyed by other workers.”

The paper also noted the high incidence of gender-based violence, and the disturbing fact that in the Caribbean, the highest rate of new HIV infection is among adolescent girls. In addition, the trafficking in women for tourism and the sex trade, their recruitment for the drug trade, and the growing number of Caribbean overseas for drug trafficking, are causes for concern.

CAFRA called on Governments to, among other things inter alia:

  Take steps to achieve at least 30 per cent female representation in local and national governments and other decision-making bodies.

 ­ Support the Police Training Programme for Domestic Violence prevention and treatment, and invest in programme strategies and processes aimed specifically at children, pre-teens and young adults to stem the trend of violence against women in our societies.

 ­ Ensure that the Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM) is sensitised to the commitments of the Beijing Platform for Action, and use the negotiations for a post-Lome Agreement as an opportunity to allocate resources for women’s development.

The Paper concluded that the women’s movement intended to work collectively and alongside government for achieving the goals of The Platform of Action.. The vision of the future remains one in which social justice is recognised for all. As countries move to implement the CARICOM Regional Plan of Action, and use CARICOM model legislation as a basis for legal reform. This will foster meaningful partnership between Governments and NGO’s. A partnership in which each brings their resources to the table and collaborates while maintaining their autonomy.