THE Caribbean Women and Sexual Diversity Conference (CWSDC) under the theme “Inspiring women to leadership” gets under way with activists from across the Caribbean convening this week in Suriname for the second such conference.

An initiative of United and Strong Inc. Saint Lucia, the CWSDC is supported by CariFLAGS and Women’s Way Suriname.

In its second year, the CWSDC targets activists in the area of lesbian, bisexual and transsexual health and rights, with the aim of increasing Caribbean women’s visibility in the movement.

This year’s collective is drawn from thirteen countries from The Bahamas to Suriname and points in between.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to connect women across the Region, in what we aim to be a lasting movement,” says Executive Director of United and Strong Inc. Kenita Placide. She adds, “The women’s conference was conceptualised to enhance the LGBTI movement in the Region by amplifying the voices of LBT activists.”

For one week from October 5 to 12 in Paramaribo, Suriname, twenty-four participants will explore ways to improve their advocacy, including proposal writing, international mechanisms, community mobilising and media. They will also learn from each other’s varying knowledge and experience in advocacy.

Sessions will be presented by facilitators from Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Suriname. Facilitators are also drawn from the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill Campus), Arcus Foundation, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, Astraea Lesbian Foundation and Women’s Health in Women’s Hands.

Faye Ferdinandus of CariFLAGS (Caribbean Forum for the Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexuality), says the mix of presenters will add to the value of the conference. “We want to build networks, which we the organisers did last year, and continue to build upon that foundation. We want to do so this time also. Caribbean presenters bring an understanding of the culture and live the lives so will bring knowledge of the nuances to the training.”

The CWSDC runs parallel with Suriname Coming Out Week celebrations organised by LGBT Platform Suriname and participants will attend events as part of the conference.

(Michel Outridge)