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Contact:
Julita Peter
Tuesday, March 8, 2005 - The AIDS Action Foundation is spearheading the
program of activities in observance of International Women’s Day, which is being
observed today. The program of activities opened with the 100-Women Forum at the
Bay Gardens Inn on Monday, under the distinguished patronage of Dr. Rose-Marie
Belle Antoine. Dr Antoine, wife of Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony spoke on the
topic “Women as Catalysts of Change in HIV/AIDS Prevention”.
Board Member of the AIDS Action Foundation, Barbara Jacobs–Small said, “The
strategy we employed was to invite employers with the help of the St. Lucia
Chamber of Commerce to nominate up to five women; we stipulated that it had to
be women so that they can come together. Out of this activity, the intention is
that these women who in many instances probably do not know each other, would
get an opportunity to sit and discuss issues that traditionally have been very
taboo, and they would come and discuss without any inhibitions or discomfort”.
She added that the ultimate objective of the 100-Woman Forum was to empower the
participants to deploy them back into their homes, workplaces and society to
effect change. The forum addressed several issues, such as stigma,
discrimination, empowerment, and the rights of HIV/AIDS victims.
The program of activities for the observance of International Women’s Day will
focus on the World AIDS Campaign 2004-2005, Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS. This
programme seeks to raise awareness of and help address the many HIV related
issues affecting women and girls.
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