Young female participants graduate from the LeadHERship Programme

The Caribbean Democrat Union (CDU) in partnership with the Conservatives Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) Programme, the LeadHERship Institute, and the United Workers Party (UWP) successfully completed a two month leadership training programme for young women in Saint Lucia.

The training programme engaged the participants on topics such as parliamentary democracy and the electoral system building an advocacy campaign; personal branding; parliamentary procedures and debates; and public speaking and media.

Participants were also provided with a tour of the Saint Lucia Parliament and had the opportunity to speak with other female members of Parliament and activists from across the region in online sessions. The programme concluded with a face-to-face training and graduation ceremony at the Coco Palm Resort in Saint Lucia from February 9-10, 2024 where the participants were presented with certificates of participation.

“As the Executive Director of LeadHERship Institute, concluding our third cohort’s 8-week political leadership programme in St. Lucia reaffirms the critical importance of young women tapping into their voices. It is through their empowered voices that they become the drivers for transformative change. This programme is more than an initiative; it’s a catalyst for nurturing leaders within every Caribbean girl Roshanna Trim, executive director of LeadHERshp Institute, Roshanna Trim stated.

“Our mission is to empower them to not just find their voice, but to use it as a powerful force for positive change in their communities and beyond. The unique setting of St. Lucia has added a special dimension to our efforts, and the progress made by these young women underscores the programme’s commitment to fostering empowered leaders who will contribute significantly to the progress and vibrancy of St. Lucia.”

Leader of the Opposition and Political Leader of the UWP, Allen Chastanet congratulated the young women on their high level of engagement and participation in the programme and encouraged them to exemplify the leadership skills gained in their communities across Saint Lucia.

Head of the Conservatives WFD Programme, Laura Saunders, congratulated the young ladies on their performance and looks forward to their increased participation in politics, civil society, and community involvement to advocate on issues important to them and their peers.

Secretary general of the CDU, Nick Francis, thanked the Conservatives WFD Programme for their continued support in creating spaces for increased participation of women and youth in decision making which is critical to the strengthening of democratic governance in the Caribbean region.

This is the third successful engagement under the LeadHERship programme; the first two engagements were held in Belize and St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2022 and 2023 respectively (CDU).