InterClub celebrates IWD

The InterClub of TT joined with women across the world in the celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8 at Hyatt Regency.

Because of covid19 restrictions, this year’s annual tea was an intimate affair of presidents or their representatives of member clubs and women who had been honoured within the last five years.

The day's highlight was the presentation of the IWD award to Sharon Inglefield of Arrive Alive, for her commitment and contribution to the national community for road safety, said a media release

InterClub president Rabbia Khan of Soroptimist International Esperance, gave a summary of the InterClub’s recent key activities. They included Cover for Covid in April 2020 in which the InterClub, in partnership with Amalgamated Security Ltd, donated 15 sewing machines to women in underprivileged communities. Member clubs provided patterns, fabric, thread, and elastic to these women who cut, sewed and packaged over 3,000 masks for free distribution.

The ongoing Orange Bench Project was started in November as part of the UNiTE Orange the World Campaign against Gender Based Violence. The InterClub funded the purchase of orange paint and provided vinyl stickers for the benches, with messages against domestic violence and human trafficking with the relevant hotline numbers. Some of the benches are located in Palmiste Park, Brian Lara Promenade and Siegert Square, the release said.

The club's Christmas Hamper Project provided 60 hampers to families. Corporate partners for this initiative included Happi Foods, National Flour Mills, Naisa, Bermudez and Nestle.

In keeping with theme of this year’s IWD, #ChoosetoChallenge, challenge cards were placed on the tables as conversation starters for guests to put forward challenges to effect positive change.

Khan, chose to challenge governments and their communities across the globe to work together, to end the trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation.

The InterClub of TT is an umbrella organisation of 19 women’s service groups with a mission to help the vulnerable. The newest member clubs are Cedaw Committee of TT (CCoTT) and Women of Substance Tobago.