Reflections on the Status of CARICOM Women

Contact: Janelle Charles

March 5, 1999 - Minister for Gender Relations Hon. Sarah Flood says the region needs to engage in more dialogue and the strengthening of alliances to identify innovative ways and approaches to addressing the concerns of Caribbean women.

The Minister made the statement in an address to the Forty- Third Session of the Commission on the Status of Women on behalf of CARICOM, Monday in New York.

Reflecting on Women’s Health in the region Minister Flood told the meeting that the placement of domestic violence high on the health agenda by the Pan American Health Organization should not be underestimated and urged the region to adopt strategies reflective of this development. "I am amazed at the extent to which many of us policy makers stop short of making the hard decisions that will, if not eliminate violence against our women, have a significant impact in reducing the incidences" the Minister said.

In St. Lucia a comprehensive strategy involving enforcement, prevention and support services is being implemented to deal with domestic violence.

The Minister also expressed Caribbean support for next year’s High Level Plenary Review which will appraise work done since the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, examine further action and initiatives to engender collaboration and support for the way forward.

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