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The World Health Organization (WHO) has drawn attention to the increased vulnerability of older women and women with disabilities to abuse, a concern often overlooked in global and national violence-related data. The health agency stressed the urgent need for improved research efforts across countries to accurately document the experiences of these women and address their specific needs. Recent WHO publications highlighted the limited data available on gender-based violence among older women and women with disabilities, despite evidence indicating a high prevalence of such abuse. One systematic review revealed elevated risks of intimate partner violence and sexual violence among women with disabilities compared to those without disabilities. Lynnmarie Sardinha, Technical Officer at WHO and the UN Special Programme on Human Reproduction (HRP) for Violence against Women Data and Measurement, emphasized the importance of understanding the diverse impacts of violence on women and girls. She underscored that such understanding is essential for tailoring effective programs and services to meet their unique needs. Despite global efforts to address intimate partner violence and sexual violence, which affect approximately 1 in 3 women worldwide, older women and women with disabilities continue to experience these forms of abuse.

BIDEC and its partners gladly invite you to join in a powerful celebration of women's achievements in the global community themed "Invest in Women: Celebrating Women's Achievements in the Global Community." Let's honor the resilience, leadership, and contributions of women worldwide. This IWM celebration is also in support of the AU Agenda 2063 Aspiration 6 & as the mandate of the AU Missions to the U.S. Don't miss out on the insightful discussions, inspiring stories, and calls to action. Save the date and be part of this inspiring conversation! Register in advance for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvdOupqjotHdTFYS0TTrkK-hyahTMXww9i #InvestInWomen #BlackHistoryFestival #IWD2024 #CelebratingAchievements #IWD2024 #InvestInWomen #BlackHistoryFestival #GlobalCommunity #WomenEmpowerment

Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit arrived in Boao, Hainan Province on Wednesday where he will address the Boao Forum for Asia 2024. The Prime Minister is leading a high-level government delegation to China to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Dominica and the People’s Republic of China. He will address the opening ceremony of the summit, which brings together world leaders to expand political dialogue and international cooperation in the search for comprehensive and effective solutions to global problems. The Prime Minister is expected to call on attending heads of government to strengthen cooperation and solidarity among countries to provide effective responses to common financial, economic and social crises. The Dominica leader will point to gross inequalities between developed and developing countries and the effects of climate change which threaten the existence of low-lying small island developing states like Dominica. Prime Minister Skerrit and his delegation will make a final stop in Shanghai, China on Friday.

Bernard Ettinoffe, the General Manager of the Dominica Water and Sewage Company (DOWASCO), has announced the implementation of a new distribution system valued at $4 million. This system is intended to serve the residents of Wesley, who were displaced due to the ongoing construction of the International Airport. Ettinoffe stressed the importance of this installation, noting that the area previously lacked a water system that could meet the residents' needs. Additionally, Ettinoffe mentioned that lands have been acquired as part of the company's efforts to build a water system to support the needs of the international airport.

ROSEAU, Dominica, (March 28, 2024)- Dominica is set to become more accessible than ever as several airlines and ferry services increase their operations. From the first quarter of 2024, enhanced connectivity is expected due to notable developments in the aviation and maritime sectors. This initiative promises more accessible and convenient travel options for visitors from key global hubs, including Barbados, Trinidad, St Lucia, Puerto Rico, Miami, St Martin, and Guadeloupe. This shift is not just a beacon of renewed hope for explorers eager to experience Dominica's unique charm but also an assurance of a smoother and more enjoyable journey to and from this Caribbean paradise. “I am pleased to share the exciting news that American Airlines is significantly boosting its service frequency from June 5 to August 5, 2024, and November 5, 2024, to March 31, 2025, with daily flights operating throughout the week. This decision underscores American Airlines' confidence in Dominica's tourism product and reflects a significant opportunity for more leisure visitors from our primary source markets in the US and Canada,” says the Minister of Tourism, Honourable Denise Charles-Pemberton. “We welcome travelers to explore Dominica's top-class offerings, including diving, hiking, whale watching, and wellness activities, as we continue positioningourselves as a premier destination in the Caribbean.” The minister added, “In addition to American Airlines, other reputable carriers such as Caribbean Airlines, InterCaribbean Airways, Silver Airways, Winair, and Express des Isles contribute to the enhanced connectivity to Dominica. Winair, for instance, has expanded its services to include a new route from Antigua to Dominica, providing a seamless connection for travelers from the UK. The Ministry of Tourism and Discover Dominica Authority remains dedicated to collaborative efforts, continually working to improve accessibility and increase the convenience of traveling to Dominica, with the ultimate goal of boosting stay-over visitor arrivals to our beautiful island.” American Airlines - Enhanced Frequency from Miami American Airlines' nonstop service from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Dominica (DOM) is set to undergo a substantial shift in frequency during the second quarter of 2024. Presently, the direct service between Miami and Dominica operates three (3) times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. However, from June 5 to August 5, 2024, the service frequency will increase to daily flights, operating on all days of the week from Monday through Sunday. Caribbean Airlines (CAL) - Expanded Services and Global Connections Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has upheld its current schedule from Trinidad's Piarco International Airport (POS) to Dominica (DOM) with a nonstop service and onward to Barbados (BGI) on Thursdays. Additionally, a route from Trinidad (POS) via Barbados (BGI) to Dominica (DOM) and then back to Trinidad (POS) is maintained on Mondays. The airline has also introduced new services on Wednesdays and Sundays. These flights will depart from Trinidad (POS) to Dominica (DOM), continue to Antigua (ANU), return to Dominica (DOM), and finally back to Trinidad (POS). The CAL schedule facilitates connections to the Tristate area (NY, CT, NJ) in the US through JFK and to Canada via Toronto. CAL also offers connections to Houston (IAH) via Trinidad (POS) in partnership with United Airlines. For European travelers, connections between Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) and CAL at Trinidad (POS) are available. The convenience of traveling to Dominica on CAL has been enhanced with visible connections between CAL and American Airlines on platforms like Expedia and Google Flights. With these additions, Caribbean Airlines now provides seven weekly inbound and outbound flights. InterCaribbean Airways - Increased Daily Flights and Strategic Partnerships InterCaribbean Airways has significantly expanded its services in the Caribbean, including increased daily flights to Dominica (DOM) and enhanced connections to various destinations. In June 2023, the airline incorporated the ATR 42-500 into its Eastern Caribbean route system, augmenting its service capacity and efficiency. The airline has also entered into an interline agreement with British Airways (BA), facilitating seamless daily connections with InterCaribbean Airways in Barbados (BGI). This strategic partnership enables same-day connections in both directions, providing greater convenience for passengers traveling from the UK. InterCaribbean operates seventeen (17) weekly flights to Dominica (DOM), primarily from Barbados (BGI) and St. Lucia (SLU), enhancing the island's accessibility. The outbound service comprises eighteen (18) flights, two (2) of which are to Tortola (EIS), with the rest serving Barbados (BGI) and St. Lucia (SLU). These enhancements reflect InterCaribbean’s commitment to improving connectivity and travel options within the Caribbean region, offering more flexibility and convenience for travelers. Winair- Seamless Caribbean Connections and European Routes Winair, based in St. Maarten, offers regular flight services to and from Dominica (DOM), with seven weekly departuresscheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. These flights connect Dominica (DOM) with Antigua (ANU), St Kitts (SKB), and St. Maarten (SXM), providing a convenient travel option for individuals traveling within the Caribbean. For European travelers coming from or heading to Amsterdam, connections can be made via St. Maarten (SXM) between Winair and major airlines such as KLM and Air France. This provides an easy and efficient travel route for those journeying between Europe and Dominica. Silver Airways - Codeshare Partnerships and Consistent Connectivity Silver Airways, a U.S. regional airline, has established codeshare partnerships with American Airlines, JetBlue, United, and Delta. The airline operates both 48-seat and 72-seat ATR aircraft to service the San Juan (SJU) to Dominica (DOM) route. This partnership allows U.S. travelers to book their journey to Dominica via American Airlines, United, JetBlue, or Delta websites. Their itinerary will include a leg from San Juan to Dominica, operated by Silver Airways, as part of their codeshare agreement. Silver Airways offers this service six (6) times a week, with inbound flights to Dominica (DOM) available from Monday to Saturday and outbound flights departing from Tuesday to Sunday. This regular schedule ensures reliable connectivity for travelers heading to and from Dominica (DOM) through San Juan. L'Express Des Isles - Ferry Services Connecting the Caribbean L'Express Des Isles, a prominent ferry service in the Caribbean, offers regular connections between several islands. The ferry operates five return services per week from Guadeloupe (PTP) to Dominica (DOM), scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Similarly, it maintains a five-day weekly schedule for services from Martinique (FDF) to Dominica (DOM) (Wednesday through Sunday) and return journeys from Dominica (DOM) on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. In addition, L'Express Des Isles runs a four-day weekly service to Saint Lucia (SLU), with departures scheduled for Thursdays through Sundays. Return journeys from St. Lucia (SLU) occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. During peak travel periods such as Easter and public holidays, L'Express Des Isles may increase its frequency of services. Consequently, travelers are strongly advised to check the official L'Express des Isles website or contact their customer service for the most current and accurate schedules. NavigAIR - Streamlined European Travel Experience NavigAIR, a service provided by Air Caraïbes, offers a streamlined travel experience for European and French visitors. This comprehensive travel package includes a flight from Orly, Paris, to Guadeloupe, followed by a shuttle service from the airport to the seaport in Guadeloupe. The journey culminates with a ferry ride to Dominica on L’Express des Isles. Notably, all these travel components are bundled into one single price, ensuring visitors reach Dominica the same day they depart. As we continue through the first quarter of 2024, Dominica is set to enhance its connectivity and become a hub for Caribbean travel and exploration. For further information, stay updated with airline and ferry service announcements and visit the blog section of our website www.discoverdominica.com.

Robert Tonge, Coordinator of the Digital Economy Unit, lauds the government's investments and enhancements in Dominica's digital infrastructure from 2017 to the present, citing it as a strategic decision that has strengthened the country's digital economy. He emphasizes that these initiatives have not only improved the lives of citizens but have also kept Dominica's business sector competitive on a global scale. Tonge reflects on the period prior to 2017, noting the prevalent reliance on cash transactions among citizens and businesses. However, with the implementation of the digital infrastructure project, Dominica has modernized its digital financial landscape, providing citizens and businesses with increased convenience when conducting transactions.

Lucian Blackmoore, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, underscores the significance of establishing a forum for collaborative dialogue when addressing matters of public concern. Reflecting on the stakeholder roundtable discussion held during Forest Week 2024, he emphasized the importance of gaining insights from diverse perspectives to effectively tackle existing issues. Blackmoore further emphasized that neglecting the management of natural resources is not a viable option, as even minor oversights can result in significant consequences, impacting both the environment and human beings, who depend on it for their sustenance.

Boao, South Hainan Province-March 29, 2024:Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit on Thursday urged the global community to work together to solve the world’s common challenges and build a prosperous future. In his remarks to the opening ceremony of the Boao for Asia Forum in Boao South Hainan Province, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of collective strength and remarked that “peace and sustainable development can only be achieved by mutual collaboration and cooperation.” "We need to strengthen cooperation and solidarity between countries in order to provide effective responses to the financial, economic, and social crises faced by many countries around the world," Mr. Skerrit said. He said sustainable development continues to be a troubling issue for the international community, given the high levels of inequality, poverty, and marginalization among countries, noting that inequalities between developed and developing countries persist and are widening. “The unjust international economic order persists and is strengthened, the devastating burden of which continues to be borne by the poorest countries. The effects of climate change threaten the existence of low-lying small island developing states and continue to destroy lives,” he said. Development, he said, would not be sustainable until it is inclusive of a resilience agenda. “The convergence of interests, purposes and actions among peoples, individuals, states and their international organizations is essential in order to achieve collective goals,” he noted, pointing to China’s promotion of a platform for cooperation with other countries to achieve high quality economic development and a shared, prosperous future for humanity. "We recognize the role of the Boao Forum and the People's Republic of China in providing development alternatives for other countries on the basis of mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation," PM Skerrit said. Prime Minister Skerrit is in China this week to celebrate the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Commonwealth of Dominica and the People’s Republic of China. --End--

During a recent Creole Heartbeat Program, Thomas Letang, the General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU), emphasized the necessity of establishing a steering committee for a trade union congress in Dominica. Letang expressed concern that unionists in Dominica are not treating this matter with the seriousness it deserves. He highlighted numerous benefits of the congress, such as providing a unified voice for various unions and creating a stronger representation for trade unions through the merger of local trade unions into a single entity. According to Letang, the initiative to form a Trade Union Congress predates the era of email. However, he noted that the effort has faced challenges due to internal conflicts, including backbiting, unfair criticism, and a lack of constructive contribution. The DPSU convened its general meeting on Thursday to address these matters.

The 51st CARIFTA Games Kicks Off in Grenada with Dominica Fielding Four Athletes. The highly anticipated 51st CARIFTA Games is all set to kick off at the Kirani James Stadium in St. Georges, Grenada, from March 30 to April 1, 2024. Over ten countries will converge to participate in various events, showcasing their athletic prowess. Dominica will be represented by four talented athletes at the CARIFTA Games 2024. Among them is Jamical Titre, who will compete in boys' discus and shot put. Titre's remarkable qualifying throw of 13.90 meters in the Under 16 shot put category earned him a spot in the games. Addison James will join the competition in the Under 20 javelin throw, having qualified with an impressive throw of 57.30 meters. Kerelle Etienne, another promising athlete, will sprint in the Under 17 100m dash after setting a national record of 11.70 seconds. Nian Davis rounds up the team, showcasing his javelin skills with a qualifying throw of 47.95 meters. Leading the Dominica team is Coach Joel Hamilton, who expresses confidence in his athletes' preparedness for the event. Hamilton calls on fellow Dominicans to rally behind the athletes and show their full support as they aim to bring pride to the nation. The CARIFTA Games will commence with the girls' 100m hurdles at 9 am, followed by a grand opening ceremony featuring the parade of countries and athletes at 2:30 pm.

The Rotary Club of Dominica is delighted to announce the 9th Annual National Secondary Schools Literacy Quiz Competition winners , held on March 22nd, 2024, at the Prevost Cinemall conference room. Convent High School emerged victorious as the competition winner, represented by Mia Joseph and Sienna Andrew. They displayed exceptional knowledge and skill throughout the competition, earning them the top spot. In recognition of their achievement, Convent High School received laptops generously donated by the Rotary Club of Tortola, Business Training Guides from Maanz Ltd., and tokens from Finance Focus. Additionally, they were awarded a plaque, trophy, and ten gallons of paint from Harris Paints Dominica Ltd. In second place were Lucas Sorhaindo and Jonathan Theophille of St. Mary’s Academy, who also received laptops from the Rotary Club of Tortola and tokens from Finance Focus. Dominica Grammar School secured the third-place position, represented by Lydia Charles and Prosper. They were awarded tablets from the Rotary Club of Dominica and tokens from Finance Focus. The other finalists in the competition included Eliz Charles and Junique Blandford of Northeast Comprehensive School, Lucie Cernota and Colin Grant of Orion Academy, and Sary Bruney and Faith Jno-Finn of Castle Bruce Secondary School. The Rotary Club of Dominica extends heartfelt congratulations to all the students for their remarkable performance in this keenly contested competition, held under the theme “Building Strong Communities through Literacy.” The competition aims to encourage youth participation in literacy activities worldwide, fostering learning, and inspiring widespread reading. We express our sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, principals, teachers, parents, and participants for their dedication and hard work, which greatly contributed to the success of the competition. ​ Special thanks are also extended to our esteemed sponsors: The Rotary Club of Tortola, National Cooperative Credit Union, Central Cooperative Credit Union, Insurance Company of the West Indies, Digicel, Finance Focus, Paxum Bank, Harris Paints Dominica Ltd., Maanz Ltd., Olive Strachan Consultancy, and all patrons of the recently concluded Rotary Original Souse and Punch fundraiser.

Dominica’s delegation received a ceremonial send-off to the 51st edition of the CARIFTA Games 2024 on March 27, 2024, at the Dominica Olympics Committee Conference Room. Trevor Shillingford, National Sports Coordinator, commended Dominica’s athletes, past and present, highlighting their ongoing contributions to advancing the sports sector in the country. The 2024 CARIFTA Games will be held at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium in St. George's, Grenada, from March 30 to April 1, 2024. Four athletes have been chosen to represent Dominica at the CARIFTA games this year: Kerelle Ettienne, Addison James, Jamical Titre, and Nian Davis. Additionally, Fenella Wenham -Shepherd, General Secretary of the Dominica Olympic Committee, disclosed that over EC $30,000 has been invested in the four athletes selected to represent Dominica at the CARIFTA games in Grenada this year. Wenham-Shepherd advised the athletes to maintain a positive self-image as they serve as Ambassadors of Dominica.