International Women’s Day

Every year International Women’s Day is held, more and more Caribbean countries “catch the fever” Those already involved usually go a step further to attract as many different interest groups as possible and to widen the net of persons participating in the activities.

This year, most of the activities have been hosted by women’s groups, NGOs, related government departments or ministries, the Centre for Gender and Development Studies (UWI), UN agencies and CAFRA.

In Jamaica, the Jamaica Labor Party’s National Organization of Women (NOW) took the opportunity to salute the women of Jamaica on International Women’s Day. NOW called on all women’s organizations and, in particular, the proposed Parliamentary Caucus, to go beyond the political divide and to be unshaken in their commitment to the development of our women.

Here is a quick snapshot of activities around the region:

• Official declaration of the month of March as “Honoring Women Month” (Cayman Islands)

• Presentation of the judges’ recommendations form the Caribbean Tribunal on Violence against Women to the Attorney General (Barbados and Grenada)

• Launch of – informal Legal Aid Service (Antigua);
  research paper on “UWI – a Progressive Institution for women”, by Prof. Marlene Hamilton (Barbados);
  Engendering Local Government Project (Trinidad and Tobago)

• Free legal advice clinic for women on domestic abuse, maintenance, property and immigration issues (Cayman Islands)

• Symposia on: Violence against Women with Disabilities (Barbados;)
  Gender Relations among Youth, Is Feminism Relevant? Sexual Harassment, Women in the Workplace (Jamaica);
  Building a Future Based on Equity, Trust and Social Justice (Trinidad and Tobago)

• TV programs on Women in Decision-making (Antigua);
  Caribbean Tribunal on Violence Against Women (British Virgin Islands);
  Man and Woman Story (Jamaica)

• Newspaper supplements (Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago)

• Commemorative media releases (Cayman Islands, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago)

• Gala Fund-Raising Luncheon (Jamaica)

• Receptions/Award Ceremonies honoring women (Cayman Islands, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago)

• Exhibitions (British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago)

• Concert: Women in Rapso (Trinidad and Tobago)

• Theatrical production: Hospice (Jamaica)

• Rallies (Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago)

• Church services (Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago)