Women's group receives funding for community development

The Women's Resource and Outreach Centre (WROC) yesterday launched its strategic plan for the 2018-2021 period.

"Over the next three years, we have simplified some of what we want to do. We have four priority areas that we will be working on to improve communities, including governance and organisational transformation," said WROC Executive Director Nikeisha Sewell Lewis. "Our second priority will be our resource and enterprise development. Our third priority will include research, advocacy, and communications, and our fourth priority will be to ensure community capacity building," she added, while speaking at the launch in St Andrew yesterday.

The plan, which is expected to build on WROC'S legacy and strengthen its efforts to ensure gender equality and equity through a community-based approach to development, is funded by National Integrity Action (NIA) through a grant from the USAID valued at US$$350,000. Work from the plan has already started in communities such as Trench Town and Arnett Gardens and will soon extend to Fletchers Land.

"We know that the work that they do in communities is invaluable. We know that without them, some people who need the service will not get it. We know that women in the rural areas need the services that are offered. We also know that gender empowerment is critical for us to understand that there is a place for all of us," said Community Outreach Officer at NIA Gavin Myers.

The launch also included a community play day for children and parents.