YWCA taking action

THE conference may be over, but the region’s branches of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) have their work cut out for them as they seek to address issues affecting women in this region.

Speaking as the North American and Caribbean Young Women’s Christian Association Leadership Conference winded down, President of the World Young Women’s Christian Association, Deborah Thomas-Austin, explained that there were specific concrete actions identified for the plan forward.

“As we are going through the process, we have a team that is working on the outcomes and action plans and that team is now putting together representatives of all the countries present to be part of the action planning committee. So by the time we are finished, we have a definite plan of action going forward and we have people identified as champions in their countries to ensure that the action plan is implemented over the next few years. So this ensures that we are not just talking about it,” she said.

The three-day conference, which ended on Saturday at the Hilton Barbados, dealt with issues including sexual reproductive health, HIV, domestic violence against women, and leadership and empowerment.

Addressing those persons who believed that the association should not be dealing with such topics, Thomas-Austin emphasised, “We cannot afford to shy away from issues such as sexual reproductive health and rights when they are human rights issues and affect women in terms of health and empowerment issues. We need to give them the tools and knowledge to claim their rights.” (JMB)