DOMINICA NOMINATION FOR 2009 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000637 SIPDIS DEPT FOR G/IWI AND WHA/CAR FROM AMBASSADOR OURISMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWMN PREL KPAO PHUM XL SUBJECT: DOMINICA NOMINATION FOR 2009 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE AWARD REF: STATE 99729 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) I am pleased to nominate Angelica Pierre-Louis, of Dominica, for the Secretary's Award for International Women of Courage for 2009 (biodata at end of cable). The president of the Dominica National Council of Women, she has become a leading advocate for developing infrastructure in Dominica to address the consequences of domestic violence and to raise the profile of Trafficking in Persons issues in the country. End summary. Background on Dominica National Council of Women ¶3. The Dominica National Council of Women was established in 1986. It seeks to advance the cause of women and ensure the integration of women in all aspect of society. From its inception, DNCW has taken on two major thrusts - a Development Program, and Crisis Services. The DNCW crisis program focuses on preventative approaches to violence. It caters to the needs of individuals and families by means of education and training, counseling and shelter services. DNCW is an advocate for the passage of a Domestic Violence Act in Dominica to codify protections for victims of domestic violence. Since its establishment, the Council has been providing counselling services for women, men and their families. Angelica's Leadership in Women's Issues in Dominica ¶3. (U) Angelica has been active in working towards promoting women's rights, and especially in working to end domestic violence against women, which is unfortunately quite common in Dominica, particularly in rural parts of the country. Her organization has also taken the lead in looking at the issue of trafficking in persons, which has just started to become an issue in Dominica. The Dominica National Council of Women participated in a trafficking workshop organized by the Embassy last spring that brought together representatives of civil society, the government and the police to address the issue of trafficking in persons. ¶6. (U) BIODATA Full legal name of nominee: Angelica Pierre-Louis Job title/Association: President, Dominica National Council of Women Date of birth: TBC Country of birth Dominica Citizenship: Dominica Telephone: 1-767-448-3935 e-mail: dncw@cwdom.dm passport number TBC She has been contacted about this nomination and is willing to be recognized. OURISMAN