Overview
YWiL is a series of national-level initiatives to be implemented across the Caribbean specifically to foster young women’s interest in public leadership. The programme is designed to support these young women leaders in building knowledge, skills, and networks necessary for their work as current and future changemakers.
Programme Components
- Skill-building workshops on transformational leadership;
- Exchanges with peers, members of parliament, and experts on women’s leadership and gender equality;
- Orientation on parliamentary procedures;
- Participation in a special YWiL sitting in parliament and debate of a motion;
- Development of a personal plan to apply new learning and skills to your community;
- Applicants must be passionate and dedicated young women between the ages of 18-25 who are interested in public leadership and are excited about opportunities for personal growth and development.
Young Women in Leadership Jamaica (YWiLJA)
Young Women in Leadership St. Lucia (YWiLSLU)
YWiL Saint Lucia (YWiLSLU) occurred from May 12 to June 27, 2022.
Through virtual and in-person trainings, as well as participation in a special parliamentary sitting in the Parliament of Saint Lucia, YWiLSLU supported young women leaders from across Saint Lucia in growing their networks, gaining new skills and knowledge, and engaging with political, community, and academic leaders and experts on issues related to governance, national development, and gender equality.
Young Women in Leadership Trinidad and Tobago (YWiLTT)
YWiL Trinidad and Tobago (YWiLTT) brought together prospective young women leaders from across Trinidad and Tobago to provide an opportunity to network, learn new skills, gain experience, and engage with political, community, and academic leaders and experts.
The initiative addressed the lower levels of political aspiration found among young women, created more spaces to encourage intergenerational collaboration, and provided access to training and education on political leadership as a way to open new doors and paths.
YWiLTT occurred from November to October 2021, via online and in-person sessions.
Young Women in Leadership Antigua and Barbuda (YWiLAB)
YWiL Antigua and Barbuda (YWiLAB) was the second initiative of its kind in the Caribbean, with activities taking place virtually and in-person (in accordance with local health and safety regulations) through 29 October – 23 November 2020.
The YWiL Antigua and Barbuda initiative included:
- A training programme on transformational leadership, parliamentary procedure, and gender equality with weekly virtual sessions and a final in-person component
- Exchanges with peers, parliamentarians, and experts on women’s leadership and gender equality
- Participation in a special YWiL session in Parliament
- Development of a personal plan to apply new learning and skills to your community
Participants included passionate and dedicated young women between the ages of 18 – 25 residing in Antigua and Barbuda and with an interest in public leadership and opportunities for personal growth and development.
#YWiLAB is a CIWiL/ParlAmericas joint project, “Strengthening Women’s Political Leadership in the Caribbean,” supported by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.
Young Women in Leadership Trinidad and Tobago (YWiLTT)
The Caribbean Women in Leadership (CIWiL) and ParlAmericas in partnership with the Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago hosted the first ever Young Women in Leadership (YWiL) Conference in Trinidad and Tobago on March 5, 6, and 9, 2020.
YWiLTT is a national leadership programme bringing together 48 young women from across Trinidad and Tobago who are interested in politics and community leadership for a series of skill-building workshops and dialogue on themes of importance which culminated with a the first ever Young Women in Leadership Parliamentary Sitting at the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago.
This event was held as part of celebrations for International Women’s Day on March 8. The participants will be engaged in:
- Skill-building workshops on transformational leadership
- Parliamentary procedures and participate in a special YWiL sitting in parliament to debate of a motion.
- Development of a personal plan to apply new learning and skills to their communities.
- Exchanges with peers, Members of Parliament, and experts on women’s leadership and gender equality.