The Caribbean Context and Women’s Activism

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The Caribbean now faces a lack of appropriate economic growth and the persistence of economic inequalities resulting in: 

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• Rising cost of living 

• High unemployment and underemployment (particularly amongst youth and as much as 41% in Haiti) 

• Non- communicable diseases pose significant challenges  

• Responses to natural disasters and global warming are leading to the diversion of much needed resources 

• Increasing crime and violence leading to diversion of much needed resources for sustainable development 

• Feminization of the HIV/AIDS epidemic 

• Gender based violence and discrimination 

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRANSFORMATION 

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Despite the many challenges in the Caribbean, there are many opportunities to transform our societies and women’s organizations have been in the forefront to facilitate and assist in the implementation of appropriate policies, laws and sustainable development initiatives. CAFRA supports the women’s movement and is playing its role.