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

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SUMMARY
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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