CariGES for Women, a registered charity (No. 913) which was inaugurated in November 2010. The mandate of this vibrant organization is not only to educate, uplift and empower women, but through women to stabilize the family unit and so strengthen our society as a whole. It has been established that female-headed households have been and continue to be predominant in the structure of both Caribbean as well as extra-regional societies. Extensive research has been carried out with documented results supporting the fact that women with secure livelihoods and financial independence are more likely to produce well-balanced, stronger family units. These units contribute to more stable societies with individuals having high self-esteem and the ability to operate in a workforce with a healthy work ethic, thereby raising the national level of productivity. Women are truly exemplary of the belief that “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world”. To date our target has been to reach women through a variety of educational forums which have been very well received. So much so, we have been able to capture the attention of our men, and as a result we hope to be able to launch the male arm of our association very soon. In Barbados there are a significant number of individuals who are unemployed or who have not been able to optimize their earning capacity. The members of CariGES for Women believe that we can positively influence these women and by extension also improve the lot of our men. To this end, our goal is the establishment of the CFW Women’s Training, Counseling and Facilitation Centre (CFWTCFC). This centre is planned as a not-for-profit facility to train individuals in income-generating skills, with an emphasis on pride in the provision of service and a strong work ethic. Our program will also provide assistance with all aspects of job procurement. In addition to training opportunities our fund-raising events will contribute to the establishment of a fund to assist individuals in accessing healthcare needs both physical and psychological as well as low cost personal development programs.
