WLI Gives J$1M to United Way of Jamaica

WLI Gives J$1M to United Way of Jamaica

Kingston, Sept. 25, 2017: The Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) has donated J$1-M to the United Way of Jamaica (UWJ), designating the funds in support of the Woman Inc Crisis Centre. 

In making the donation, WLI Chair, Chorvelle Johnson said that “as an organization focused on improving the welfare of girls and women in Jamaica, the WLI is pleased to support the Woman Inc Crisis Centre which provides a safe haven for women who have been victims of domestic violence.”

The Centre which was founded in 1984 opens next month following refurbishment.  The WLI is a standing committee of the UWJ established by women to promote sisterhood, leadership and the advancement of women and girls while contributing to nation building.

Miss Johnson said that “unfortunately, the incidence of domestic violence seems to be on the rise in Jamaica and thankfully, the Crisis Centre allows women time away from their negative situations and counseling to help them recover.”

Noting that participants at a WLI International Women’s Day Forum last March decried the lack of such facilities, Ms. Johnson said: “The WLI hopes that with our support and contributions from other philanthropic individuals and companies the Woman Inc Crisis Centre will continue its very important work.”

She said the WLI continues to do its part to reduce the incidence of child sexual abuse in Jamaica with its annual series of “Darkness to Light” workshops which train caregivers, teachers, and parents on preventing, detecting and treating with child sexual abuse.

To date, the WLI programme has trained representatives from over 30 key stakeholder organizations to effectively deliver and implement the “7 Steps to Preventing Child Sexual Abuse”.  Another workshop will be held in November 2017.