IN recognition of International Women’s Day, CIBC FirstCaribbean has made donations to the St. Lucia Crisis Centre and the St. Lucia Network of Rural Women Producers. The donations will assist the two organisations in carrying out their mandate to enhance the lives of women in the community.
“The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘Make it Happen’, and this is a call to organisations and individuals to celebrate the achievements of women, while encouraging effective action for advancing and recognising women,” said Country Manager, Ladesa James-Williams.
She said that it “is with this goal in mind that we identified two local groups that are ‘making it happen’ by making a difference in the lives of women in St. Lucia. Our donations to the St. Lucia Network of Rural Women Producers and the St. Lucia Crisis Centre will go a long way in empowering women to take charge of their lives by creating sustainable avenues for self-employment, and providing support for women who may be in abusive situations.”
The St. Lucia Crisis Centre first opened its doors to the public in 1988 and has since then assisted thousands of individuals, providing advice, counselling or assistance for all forms of domestic violence whether physical, sexual or emotional.
Since 2011, the St. Lucia Network of Rural Women Producers has made an island-wide impact on the livelihoods of women in rural areas by providing training and support to women in areas of agriculture production.
“Our contributions enable us to express the promise of the CIBC FirstCaribbean brand to help our communities achieve what matters to them. It is our hope that through organisations such as the St. Lucia Crisis Society and the St. Lucia Network of Rural Women Producers we can assist and empower women and by extension do our part in developing and promoting the positive aspects of our society,” Mrs. James-Williams added.