• 
  His Worship the Mayor of May Pen, Councillor Winston Maragh OD, JP
  Hon. William Shagoury CD, JP- Custos Rotulorum of the Parish of Clarendon and Honourary Chairman Clarendon Parish Development Committee Benevolent Society represented by Mr. Carlton Knight, JP 
  Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., Minister of Labour and Social Security, and Member of Parliament of Southeast Clarendon, represented by Mr. Rajae Lewis, President of the Parish Youth Council   
  Councilor Scean Barnswell, JP- Councillor for Hayes Division
  Mr. Rowhan Blake, Chief Executive Officer, Clarendon Municipal Corporation 
  Mr. Carlos Russell – Acting Senior Superintendent of Police In charge of the Clarendon Police Division 
  Ms.  Eurica Douglas JP, General Manager, Clarendon Parish Development Committee Benevolent Society Staff of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation
  Graduates  
  Representatives of the media
  Other distinguished guests

Good morning.

I am delighted to represent the joint United Nations/European Union-funded Spotlight Initiative in closing this inspiring five-month Rural Women’s Economic Empowerment Project, which marks a new chapter in the lives of brave survivors of domestic violence.  

Graduates, our joint team asks me to convey our pride in your accomplishments and our confidence in your ability to be successful in your business projects.

You are now equipped with skills to build and grow a business that will serve your communities and support your families.

More importantly, the path has been paved for your economic independence, free from abusive control.

Graduates, this is your time to celebrate and toast to a future filled with excellent possibilities. Set no limits on your vision.  

Turn to your sister beside you, look her in the eye and tell her: ‘We made it. This is our time.’

You are the inspiration we need today. You send a powerful message to women in abusive situations that their circumstances do not define their lives; that there is hope, life and personal satisfaction in creatively monetizing your God-given skills.

With an investment of 17.1 million Jamaican dollars, the Clarendon Municipal Corporation, and the EU-UN’s Spotlight Initiative have partnered to economically empower a total of 70 women and girls in rural Jamaica to date. The 70 includes 20 graduating today and another cohort of 40 women and 10 girls in 2022.

This aligns with the Spotlight Initiative’s aim to foster intervention programmes for women and girls facing multiple forms of violence. This also achieves key targets of the Violence Against Women and Girls Prevention Strategy of Clarendon’s Local Sustainable Development Plan - supported by UNDP under Phase one of the Spotlight Initiative.

As a result of this strategic approach, 60 women, mostly domestic violence survivors have successfully established their micro-businesses since last year.

I am particularly pleased that sustainability has been well thought out, with on-going business coaching, and ongoing technical support and registration of women farmers through RADA.

One in every four Jamaican women aged 15 - 64 years experiences intimate partner, physical and/or sexual violence over their lifetime, especially those from low income or rural communities. This is why we call for more Investments targeting the social and economic wellbeing of vulnerable groups. This can only strengthen local economies, and reduce inequalities and the cycle of violence, ensuring no one is left behind.

I’d like to thank the Local Economic Development Unit of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation for their excellent coordination of the training in collaboration with the Clarendon Parish Development Committee Benevolent Society. The joint team also conveys gratitude to the Jamaica Business Development Corporation and Child Development Agency for facilitating sessions in business development and psychological skills respectively.

Empowering women to live their fullest potential through economic resilience is critical to effective domestic violence intervention. With generous support from the European Union, the Spotlight Initiative remains your committed partner on this mission.  Thank you.