THE Spouses of CARICOM Leaders Action Network (SCLAN) participated in a number of events held in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York last month, the CARICOM Secretariat has reported.

Apart from hosting a side event in collaboration with the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) at the UN Headquarters on 24 September, 2018, the organisation took the opportunity to establish contact with, and strengthen links with other organisations.

SCLAN was represented by the Her Excellency, Ms. Kim Simplis Barrow, spouse of the Prime Minister of Belize,Dean Barrow and Special Envoy on Women and Children of Belize and Chair of SCLAN; Her Excellency, Mrs. Sandra Granger, spouse of the President of Guyana and Vice-Chair; Executive Committee Members Hon. Dr. Patricia Minnis, spouse of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas; Her Excellency Martine Moise, spouse of the President of Haiti; and Hon. Eloise Gonsalves, spouse of the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Mrs. Barrow and Mrs. Granger were also invited to speak during the Strategic Dialogue on Promoting the Health of Women and Girls through Collective Efforts at the 2018 Concordia Annual Summit, in partnership with the Bush Institute and at the PEPFAR 15th Anniversary Reception. They also made presentations to the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU),urging support for a MTV “Shuga” series for the Caribbean. The success of the series in Africa is borne out by its wide audience; an increase in the number of persons who have been tested and treated for AIDS; a reduction in sexually transmitted diseases; and more careful choosing of partners by women and the public discussion of taboo subjects.

They were invited to, and participated in events hosted by the Organisation of African First Ladies against AIDS (OAFLA): a high-level breakfast on the Free to Shine Campaign – Global Partnership towards Eliminating Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in Africa; and a high-level panel discussion on breast and cervical cancer in Africa. The CARICOM First Ladies also participated in the Launch of the Youth 2030 Strategy and Generation Unlimited Partnership; the UNICEF Women Leaders for Girls Reception; and the World Council of Churches /PEPFAR/UNAIDS breakfast on fostering partnerships to end AIDS and TB in children and adolescents.

Informal discussions were held with representatives of the Bush Institute, Elizabeth Glasier Paediatric AIDS Foundation and Girls Not Brides. Mrs. Barrow stated that her organisation’s participation in the UN side events had been productive, with renewed acquaintances and established contacts with a number of persons who shared their goals and objectives and were interested in collaborating with the Caribbean Spouses Network.