ABOUT BPW BARBADOS
Crisis Hotline: 246-435-8222 or 246-253-5071 (mobile)
General: 246-280-5068 (mobile)
The Business & Professional Women’s Club of Barbados (Est. 1966), is a “status-of-women” organisation and a chapter of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women, represented in 96 countries. BPW Barbados is focused on elevating the status of women in Barbados and the Carib
bean. “Empowered Women Leading Business” is our theme for the 2012-2015 term. A special emphasis is placed on the Women’s Empowerment Principles, a BPW International Initiative as we seek to collaborate with the government, civil society and the business sector to further empower women. The objectives of BPW Barbados are:-
• To work for high standards of service in business and the professions.
• To encourage women and girls to acquire education, occupational training and advanced education, and to use their occupational capacities and intelligence for the advantage of others as well as themselves.
• To stimulate and encourage in women, awareness and acceptance of their responsibilities to the community, locally, nationally and internationally.
• To work for equal opportunities and status for women in the economic, civil and political life in all countries, and to work for the removal of all discrimination.
• To promote world-wide friendship, co-operation and understanding between business and professional women. Some of our activities and accomplishments include:
2012: Attendance at BPW International Leadership Summit & related CSW Conference, NY; 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters in Washington, DC; UNFPA Justice for Women Victims of Sexual Violence Workshop, Guatemala.
2011: Implementation of Children’s Counselling & Intervention Programme: individual and group therapy for children accompanying their mothers in the Shelter.
2005: BPW Barbados became lead agency chosen to partner with the Barbados Bureau of Gender Affairs on a human trafficking awareness and advocacy programme. Initially organized by the International Office of Migration, Barbados is now Tier 2 on the TIP List. BPW Barbados currently sits on the National Task Force on Human Trafficking, est. 2012.
2003: First annual collaboration began with The Albert Schweitzer Institute of Quninipiac University, Connecticut, USA to host faculty and graduate students for week-long seminars, training and volunteer work. Each year, local law enforcement, groups and individuals who interact with vulnerable persons and victims of violence are trained on how to better work with these individuals and stage the appropriate intervention.
1999: Shelter for Abused Women opens and is a safe haven shelter for 25 women and children. Clients receive counselling, job training, access to medical services, court-visit assistance and various forms of support throughout their stay. BPW Barbados provides outreach via a support group and assists in the furnishing of new housing for clients on exit.BPW Barbados is working on making the shelter a model for the entire region.
1997: Crisis Centre is created in response to the need for more community services aimed at highlighting and addressing issues affecting women and girls. Initial services included: individual and group counselling; advocacy; training and education on domestic violence and pertinent issues for individuals and organizations.
1986: Crisis Hotline established for victims of r**e. Today it is a 24-hour hotline for victims of all forms of violence. Issues, Causes, Contributions:
• Made submissions to the Constitution Review Committee and made strident representation for foreign-born husbands of Barbadian women to be able to live and work here.
• Recommendations to the Education Act.
• Presented recommendations with regard to the proposed Domestic Violence Act and The Sexual Offences Act (1991/92).
• Submitted proposals to Government on the Draft Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Act (not yet been enacted).
• Supported the call of National Organisation of Women for a Minimum Wage Bill
• Membership: National Organisation of Women (NOW), Caribbean Women’s Association, CIM/OAS
• Committees: National Task Force on Human Trafficking (2012); Domestic Violence Committee; Chambers of the Barbados Legislature, National Commission of Women; Government delegations to the United Nations General Assembly meetings; World Conferences of Women. Crisis Centre Programmes (Community)
• Crisis Intervention
• Short & long term therapy
• Agency and political/legislative advocacy
• Public education & awareness
• Gateway to BPW Shelter
• Training/ Sensitization: Law Enforcement, Judiciary, Health Professionals, Social Services Providers
• Clothes Line Project
• TRAP - Adolescent Anger-Management and Intervention Programme
• TRIM Programme – Salon & Barber Shop Sensitization
• Annual Self-Development Programme for unemployed women – Educate to Eradicate Poverty & Abuse
• Girls Industrial School - Pre-release Programme for female juvenile offenders
BPW Shelter for Abused Women & Children
The BPW Shelter for Abused Women is an initiative of the Business & Professional Women’s Club of Barbados (BPW Barbados). BPW Barbados is a “status-of-women” club focused on empowering women at all levels. The BPW Club is part of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women, represented in 96 countries. Shelter: We offer emergency temporary housing to victims of domestic violence who are in need of a safe shelter. We house 20 to 25 women and children at any one time. The length of stay varies with the goal of helping the client become more empowered and self-sufficient by the end of their stay. The average length of stay is three months. Counselling: The Shelter provides free individual and group counselling services to people in various stages of dealing with domestic violence. The GENESIS Sanctuary Model has been adopted as the ther**eutic model of healing. This model emphasizes a commitment to safety and non-violence. Empowerment & Support: A goal of the Shelter's residential programme is to help clients build a large and diverse safety net of support. Our social workers, counsellors and residential officers work with each client to help them access various community resources and assist in areas of employment and housing amongst others. Empowerment programmes include skills-training and self-development, educational workshops and parenting support. Children's Programmes: We offer individual and group therapy for children accompanying their mothers to the Shelter. We assist children and adolescents to address the abuse that they may have witnessed, and attempt to break the potential cycle of violence. We look forward to the initiation of Parenting Workshops and other parent/child support programmes in 2012. Legal Advocacy: While the Shelter does not employ a lawyer, we do have staff and BPW Club Members & Associates who can help survivors navigate the legal system. The staff will assist in obtaining protective orders and accompanying clients to court should they need additional support. Transitional Housing: The Shelter is continually seeking assistance for a Transitional Housing Programme for survivors of domestic violence. We work with the Welfare Department and the National Housing Corporation and whenever we are able to offer clients partial furnishings and appliances through the kind donations of organisations and individuals. BPW Barbados looks forward to securing funding to initiate a Revolving Loan Fund to assist clients when they exit the shelter. Educational Programmes: In an effort to increase the community's awareness about the Shelter's services and about the issue of domestic violence, the Shelter provides free educational programmes to the community. Programs are available for all school age children, civic groups, allied professionals, and members of the faith community. Programmes are offered in collaboration with the BPW Crisis Centre. Volunteer Opportunities: The Shelter offers many opportunities for individuals and organizations to help end domestic violence. Shelter volunteers are provided with training and have the support of shelter staff to help provide quality services. Volunteer opportunities include:
• Administrative Assistance
• Childcare
• Court Advocacy
• Fundraising Assistance
• Special Projects
• Transportation
Internship Opportunities: Students from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus enrolled in the Social Work Programme have the opportunity to gain experience via a short internship in the Shelter. Funding: The Shelter is funded via contributions from the Barbados Government, fundraising initiatives of the BPW Barbados Club and via donations from individuals and organisations. Donations: We welcome the following:
• Appliances, furniture, office equipment
• Clothing for both women and children (of suitable standard)
• “Necessity Kits” for women and children on entry to shelter
• Educational material for both children and adult including computers
• Food
• Linens
• Toiletries
• Toys
• Monetary donations
• Landscaping services, gardening supplies & materials
The BPW Shelter looks forward to acquiring a vehicle to transport clients and children, further ensuring safe and secure entry and exit from the shelter on a daily basis. We are seeking to expand our range of programmes and offer further support for ex-clients of the shelter to assist them with food, jobs and overall self-sufficiency and empowerment. Contact information:
Crisis Hotline: 246-435-8222
General information: 836-5070; [email protected]
Mailing address: P.O. Box 381, Bridgetown, Barbados, West Indies
~BPW Barbados: Empowered Women Leading Business ~
