(CMR) The Family Resource Centre (FRC) and The Department of Counselling Services (DCS) will celebrate the 23rd anniversary of Honouring Women Month (HWM) in the Cayman Islands throughout March 2022.
FRC has observed HWM over the years to highlight women’s accomplishments while addressing gender-specific issues that affect them. This year, FRC is focused on organizing events around the theme #BreakTheBias to raise funds to support young mothers accessing clinical preventative and intervention services at the FRC.
“The Family Resource Centre plays an integral role within the Ministry of Health and Wellness and I am very proud to support their Honouring Women’s Month initiatives,” said Minister for Health and Wellness, Hon. Sabrina Turner.
“I encourage the community to take part in the scheduled events, which are designed to provoke thought and spark action for gender equality. By working collaboratively, we can all take action to #BreakTheBias in our homes, schools, workplaces and beyond,” the Minister added.
Included in the various Honouring Women’s Month events and celebrations organized by the FRC is the celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) on Tuesday, March 8. Through this year’s fundraising initiatives, FRC aims to continue supporting clients through the provision of monthly stipends, educational sponsorships, childcare sponsorship, transportation, and gift vouchers.
“This years’ IWD theme emphasizes the importance of promoting a gender-equal world, one where we must strive to individually and collectively break free from biases in our community. It was with this objective in mind that Government committed last year to increase equity in representation on Government boards and committees – an objective that will guide our actions for the foreseeable future,” said Premier, Hon. Wayne Panton.
Over the past two years, the Young Parent Services (YPS) at FRC serviced 20 young parents and 25 young children between the ages of 0 and 4. The expenditures attached to this program have continuously increased, due to added stressors and limited opportunities.
“This particular population has many risk factors that are barriers for success,” said Clinical Supervisor of FRC, Charmaine Miller. “Amongst these are poverty, unemployment, lack of transportation, childcare, health care, and the inability to access professional development and education.”
Celebrations begin March 1 with the ‘Strike the #BreaktheBias Pose’ Challenge, where participants can take a photo crossing their arms to show solidarity and tag #frccayman to spread awareness. Interested persons can learn more about striking the IWD #BreakTheBias pose at www.internationalwomensday.com/theme.
Amongst the various events organized for the month are:
Launch of Honouring Women’s Month Mentoring Programme – Tuesday, March 8 from 9 a.m.– 11.30 a.m.
#ChoosetoChallenge Book Launch – Wednesday, March 9
Redefining Success Workshop – Wednesday, March 16 from 2p.m.– 4p.m
STEM Girls Camp – Saturday, March 19 from 9 a.m.– 3 p.m.
Women in STEM Radio Discussion Series – Tuesday, March 22 from 12p.m.– 1p.m
Baby Supply Drives – Saturday, March 12 from 9 a.m.– 3 p.m (Foster’s Camana Bay) and Saturday, March 19 (Cost U Less)
The FRC has also organized government-focused initiatives, including an International Women’s Day Breakfast available to civil servants (Tuesday, March 8 from 9 a.m. onwards) and a Civil Service Virtual Roundtable: ‘Women in Leadership #BreakTheBias’ (Wednesday, March 23 from 1 p.m. onwards), in partnership with the Wellness Committee of the Cayman Islands Government. FRC has also scheduled their annual Colour Me Purple 5K Fun Walk/Run for Sunday, March 27 at Safe Haven – the race begins at 6.30 a.m. Register by emailing [email protected].
For this year’s up-to-date HWM calendar and for further information, email [email protected], call 949-0006, visit www.frc.gov.ky, and follow FRC on Instagram (@frccayman) and Facebook (@FamilyResourceCentre).
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