Introduction

The Hurricanes have swept through the region and laid bare not only the physical terrain, but the heart and soul of our people. On the one hand a great out pouring of support for the many afflicted. On the other hand, the determination of a section of people to rob, rape, kill and strike fear in the hearts of citizens. Looking beyond an outrage at their inhumanity, the looters are but demonstrating the societal conditions in which the women’s movement must function. Can we truly say “Mother the great stone got to move” or Woman time a come” as we see the issues of the Beijing Platform for Action begging to be addressed?

Contributing factors to the disastrous effects of the Hurricanes are the poverty of people, violence and want, lack of employment, poor health service, poor infrastructure, and degradation of the environment. It is no accident that Wangari Maathai of Kenya has won the Nobel Peace Prize for her fierce protection of the environment - the creation of the Green Belt Movement for the replanting of trees.

Such signs of hope are needed as people pull themselves up and painfully but surely rebuild their lives and their environment.