Woman Arise! Powerful int’l conference launches in Kingston

AN INTERNATIONAL conference of women to discuss issues such as domestic violence will be launched tomorrow at Kencot Christian Fellowship, Kingston.

Approximately 600 women from Jamaica and across the region are to group at the church on Saturday, July 27 for this major conference to discuss that vexed issue. Studies have shown the extent to which women are experiencing abuse, some of whom have kept silent about it. But the conference under the theme: ‘Woman Arise … Reset!’ is seeking provide critical life-changing information on that issue, as well as on other topics, including parenting, community development and finance.

“The conference is in recognition of the fact that so many women bear the burden of raising families on their own, enduring verbal and physical abuse, endangering themselves and their children through criminal/unsavoury associations, ”chairperson of the planning committee, Jackie Geddes, said.“They are struggling with dwindling financial resources and are facing the hardships of survival in a society that places reducing value on their work and worth,” she added.

The primary aim of the conference, therefore, is to empower participating women through information and discussion to affect relationships in their homes and communities as a basis for social change.

Elaine Foster-Allen, former principal of Shortwood Teachers’ College and former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, is to launch this important event. Foster-Allen is also among the line-up of powerful keynote speakers at the conference.