Local YWCA members at regional training session in Trinidad

Representatives of the YWCA of Guyana have joined 50 other women in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) at a workshop aimed at ending violence against women and the spread of HIV in the Caribbean.

Hosted by the T&T YWCA, the Regional Training Institute is being held under the theme ‘Caribbean Women Creating safe and Secure Communities: United to end Violence against Women and the Spread of HIV’, a press release said.

According to World YWCA Regional Director for the Americas and Caribbean Marie-Claude Julsaint, despite the fact that all Caribbean countries have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), “violence against women – particularly sexual violence, is on the rise in the region.”

In 2001, a UNAIDS Epidemic Update reported that the Caribbean was the second most affected region in the world by HIV-AIDS, after Sub-Saharan Africa. The main mode of transmission in the Caribbean remains unprotected heterosexual intercourse and most new cases of HIV occur among young women ages 12 to 24. The release said a Young Women’s Leaders Dialogue today will allow Caribbean women to discuss issues of violence against women, sexual and reproductive health and rights and HIV and AIDS.

The Guyana delegation includes President Diane Blyden, General Secretary Glynis Alonzo-Beaton, Young Woman Delegate (Treasurer) Shellon Garner and Board Member and Social Worker at Linden Trudy Scott. The delegation said it is pleased to be attending the meeting and it hopes to gain new and innovative ways of dealing with the said issues.

The release said T&T First Lady Dr Jean Ramjohn-Richards will host the participants on Wednesday at The President’s House.
World YWCA President Susan Brennan and World YWCA General Secretary Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda are also expected to attend the sessions.
The sessions begin today and end on Friday.