Strengthening partnerships with organisations working at the community level took centre stage on February 5, as the Minister for Equity, Labour, Gender and Elderly Affairs, Social Justice and Consumer Welfare, Emma Hippolyte, convened separate engagements with Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia and representatives of Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs).
The meetings formed part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry to deepen collaboration with civil society and faith-based partners in addressing social challenges, improving service delivery, and ensuring more responsive and targeted support for vulnerable groups.
In her first official meeting with representatives of Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia, a non-profit civil society organisation focused primarily on advocacy and support for women and children affected by gender-based violence, Minister Hippolyte described the engagement as an important opportunity to deepen understanding of the organisation’s work and to formally recognize its long-standing contribution to society.
“Today was about sitting down, listening, and gaining a clearer appreciation of the work being done on the ground,” Minister Hippolyte said. “On behalf of the Government of Saint Lucia and the Ministry, I wanted to personally thank Miss Sealy and her team for the passion, commitment, and effectiveness they have demonstrated over the years.”
The minister noted that several concerns were raised during the discussion and assured that they would be carefully considered by her Ministry.
Later in the day, Minister Hippolyte held a second meeting with representatives of Faith-Based Organisations, continuing dialogue initiated shortly after she assumed the portfolio. She emphasized the government’s appreciation for the critical role FBOs play in community support and social cohesion.
“We value the work our faith-based organisations do within their congregations and communities. It was important to continue this conversation, gather their perspectives, and identify areas where we can collaborate to better serve the people of Saint Lucia.”
The meeting also brought into focus operational challenges faced by FBOs, which the minister committed to addressing through coordinated inter-ministerial support.
A key concern highlighted was the absence of a safe home for young males, with FBO representatives expressing alarm over what they described as a growing incidence of homelessness among young men. The minister acknowledged the urgency of the issue and welcomed collaboration to address the gap.
Both engagements concluded with an agreement to maintain quarterly meetings, reinforcing the Ministry of Equity’s approach of sustained engagement, shared responsibility, and partnership with civil society and faith-based stakeholders in advancing social protection and equity.