Nashauna Drummond, Staff Reporter

Earlier this year, the executive of Woman Inc. met with the wife of the Governor-General, Her Excellency The Most Hon Rheima Holding Hall (third left). Mrs. Hall has over the years, maintained strong links with Woman Inc. Others in the picture, from left, are: Valerie Moodie, business woman; Gloria Palomino, Woman Inc. patron; Joyce Hewett, president; Devika Manjunatha, public relagions coordinator and Syringa Marshall-Burnett, who represented the Prime Minister at the meeting.

To celebrate its coming of age last October, Flair magazine adopted Woman Inc. who also came of age.

Woman Inc. provides assistance to women who have been victims of various forms of abuse. This includes; rape, incest, domestic violence and sexual harassment at the work place. They also operate a crisis centre and a shelter for battered women. Flair became aware of the organisation's need through a general email that was being circulated.

TRUST FUND

After highlighting the plight of the organisation, a number of corporate companies such as Supreme Ventures, Jamaica Stock Exchange, the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Erskine and Associates, Paymaster Jamaica Limited and Jamaica Money Market Brokers responded to the cause.

Woman Inc's trust fund was launched last December with $300,000. "We were elated, relieved, expectant. This was something we have talked about from 1980," said president Joyce Hewett of the trust fund.

HELP RECEIVED

Ms. Hewett notes that the year's partnership has been very helpful to the organisation. "The coverage and publicity, subsequent feedback from the community and 'overall enhancement of what we do. Many more persons are aware of what we do. Groups have made presentations of supplies for clients, some persons have joined and others have volunteered their services. Some persons didn't know we were running a shelter. We've networked with other groups such as key clubs; members of staff at RBTT bank have made donations in kind, supplies and cash. We have also had visits from Kwanis clubs", notes Ms. Hewett.

Jamaica Tea Club was one of the first organisations to make a donation to the organisation. They presented the organisation with supplies for the shelter and a fax machine. The organisation has also received a much needed photocopying machine from GlaxoSmithKline, and office supplies from HD Hopwood.

For the past six years, GraceKennedy has assisted Woman Inc. through its remittance services. Since 2000, Grace Remittance Services covers their administrative costs which include the salary of their administrator. Ms. Hewett notes that without that assistance, the executive committee (all of whom have full-time jobs), would have to take on that responsibility.

MUCH LEFT TO BE DONE

Though the organisation has benefited tremendously from Flair's year of publicity, there is still a lot more to be done.

They still need a stronger membership base and material for their resource room (to provide information on elements that impact women). The infrastructure of the crisis centre at Denehurst Road and their shelter still need structural repair.

For the second consecutive year, they have not been able to hold the annual trade fair which is their major fund-raising event (Woman Inc. was born out of a trade fair 22 years ago). The fair provides exposure for women who are in business and agencies who provide goods and services for women. However, Ms. Hewett is confident of the future of the fair and believes it will return.

FUTURE

For the future, Woman Inc. hopes to expand its mandate to include HIV/AIDS and trafficking in persons. She noted that these relate to their basic focus as women who are in abusive relationships are not in a position to negotiate safe sex which puts them at risk. Despite the meagre resources the organisation will continue to provide essential services for women.