Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/2668/-1/135/
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SOROPTIMISTS MEET IN ANGUILLA Governor Sees Greater Role For Women
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Anguilla is this week hosting the 18th Biennial Conference of the Caribbean Regional Council of Soroptimist International from August 9 - 13 under the theme “Unity Through Communication.” The conference has brought together some 100 delegates, representing 17 clubs, from Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and Anguillal. There are also representatives from the UK-based Federation.
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Mrs. Helen Huckle, Patron of Soroptimists in Anguilla declaring open Conference
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The conference was declared open by Patron of the Anguilla Club, Mrs. Helen Huckle, wife of the Governor, who commended the Soroptimists on their work and spoke of the dedication she had seen among the members in Anguilla.
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Cross-section of Regional Soroptimists
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Governor Huckle noted that although the world was still all too male dominant, women were playing an important role in society. He pointed to the fact that Anguilla had taken a step to recognise the contribution of women by appointing two very qualified female members to nominated posts in the House of Assembly. He observed that there was good representation in public service, but hoped women would soon be appointed to be Permanent Secretaries and that others would be elected to serve as Ministers of Government as well. He said that developing countries in the Caribbean region could not afford to waste the high level of talent that women provide.
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Anguillian Officials and visiting Soroptimists
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The Governor took the opportunity to draw attention to some problems in Anguilla and other parts of the Caribbean which needed to be addressed. He outlined these as single parenting, domestic violence, child abuse and young people going astray and hoped that organisations like the Soroptimists would find it possible to address these and other societal problems.
Minister of Social Development, Evans Rogers, said that as the Government continued to improve the island’s economic development, there was a need to link with organizations like Soroptimist International to make a significant impact on social development.
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Members of the Soroptimist Club of Anguilla
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“Your work internationally for and with communities to promote human rights, equality, development and peace is commendable, as we create a more equitable and secure world for all,” Mr. Rogers told the Soroptimists. “In fact, these goals are made real here on this island as you implement programs for the protection of children and the elderly and the development of our culture.”
The Guest Speaker was Clinical Psychologist, Dr. O. M. Linda Banks, who spoke on the theme of the conference, “Unity Through Communication.” She observed that the fact that the delegates came to Anguilla from various parts of the region demonstrated that there was unity among Caribbean women.
She emphasised the importance of good communication skills to promote understanding and foster better interpersonal relationships. “Communication may be one way or two-way, but communication is not simply sending a message,” she pointed out. “It is creating shared meaning and understanding – swift, clearly and precisely. We can know that we have shared meaning when we receive feedback.”
The Soroptimists were welcomed to Anguilla by the Caribbean Regional Council President, Lady Josephine Gumbs, who spoke briefly of plans to pursue several human rights programmes and to improve the status of women.
Another speaker was Federation Representative, Jenny Tasker, from Guernsey. She expressed delight in meeting with so many Soroptimists in the Caribbean region and the important linkages the clubs have with the UK-based Federation.