Department of Gender Affairs - St. Kitts

The Department of Gender Affairs extends its sincere gratitude to the AccXess Hope Social Club for its generous donation to the Project Viola Teen Mom Programme.

Your kindness and commitment to supporting young mothers are deeply appreciated. This contribution will have a meaningful impact on the lives of our participants by helping to provide the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

Thank you for partnering with us in empowering young women and investing in a brighter future for them and their children.

Happy 45th Anniversary to the OECS! 💚💙💛🤍

Yesterday, in recognition of OECS Colours Day, our staff donned greens, yellows, blues and whites in celebration of this milestone and our country's proud membership in this regional body.

Our Ministry continues to be thankful for the invaluable contributions made over the years by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States via the OECS Commission, towards strengthening social protection and social development initiatives in the Federation.

Let us all celebrate the excellence, strength, talents, and potential of our boys today and every day.

Happy International Boys Day! 💙

Our Boys need our love, guidance, encouragement, and support.
Today, let us celebrate their strength, dreams, talents, and potential.

Let’s embrace and empower our boys to grow into confident, respectful, compassionate, and successful young men. Every word of encouragement, every act of kindness, and every opportunity we give them helps shape a brighter future.

Let’s uplift, inspire, and stand beside them as they navigate life with courage and purpose.

Happy International Boys Day! 💙

Following the successful completion of the 6-week Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, the female inmates also had the opportunity to participate in a health screening and assessment conducted at the Basseterre Health Centre.

This health screening allowed the participants to receive general health check-ups and assessments to better understand their overall wellness and identify any health concerns that may require follow-up care.

Additionally, Courts Optical came onboard to support this initiative by providing free eye examinations, further contributing to the inmates’ access to essential health services and promoting preventative health care.

This continued collaboration highlights the importance of ensuring that rehabilitation programs not only focus on personal development, but also support the physical health and well-being of those within the correctional system.

The Department of Gender Affairs Female Rehabilitation Program with His Majesty's Prison, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health’s Health Promotion Unit, successfully hosted a 6-week Chronic Disease Self-Management Program for female inmates. This program was facilitated by Nurse Mary Caines and Tamara Daniel.

This program was designed to empower participants with practical knowledge and skills to better understand and manage chronic illnesses, while also promoting healthier lifestyle choices and overall wellness. Throughout the six weeks, the inmates were actively engaged in interactive sessions focused on areas such as healthy eating, physical activity, stress management, medication adherence, and building confidence to make positive long-term changes.

At the end of the program, an award ceremony was held on Thursday 30th April 2026 to recognize the commitment and progress of the participants. Seven (7) female inmates who successfully completed the program were presented with certificates of completion celebrating their dedication, perseverance, and willingness to invest in their personal health and development.

This initiative forms part of our ongoing efforts to support rehabilitation, promote wellness, and encourage positive transformation within the correctional setting.

Thanks to our Sponsor Mr. Curt Charles at Auto Tech Services for donating the pink shirts worn by the participants throughout the program.

Good morning 💜

Under the theme “Give to Gain,” the Ministry of Health’s NCD Programme is supporting **20 vulnerable women** in our community 💜

We are kindly asking for donations of basic self-care and hygiene items such as:
• Sanitary pads
• Feminine wipes
• Deodorant
• Body lotion/Vaseline
• Toothpaste & toothbrushes
• Mouthwash
• Other small hygiene items

🗓 **Donation deadline:** Monday, April 27, 2026
🎁 **Distribution:** Thursday, April 30, 2026

Your contribution—no matter how small—can make a meaningful difference 💜

If you’re able to donate, please contact:
📞 **Vera Edwards-France:** 665-1853
📞 **Novelia Rawlins-Nwosu:** 664-7834

Thank you for supporting dignity, care, and community wellness 💜

On 8th April 2028 the Department of Gender Affairs in partnership with the Ministry of Health hosted a session for teen mothers enrolled in the Project Viola Program on the topic Sexual Health. The session was facilitated by Mrs. Lucine Pemberton-Vaughn.

The session focused on educating participants on key s*xual and reproductive health matters, including understanding their bodies, safe s*x practices, preventing s*xually transmitted infections (STIs), and the importance of making informed decisions. It also highlighted the value of healthy relationships, personal boundaries, and seeking medical support when needed. Participants were encouraged to ask questions in a safe space and were provided with accurate information to support healthier choices and reduce risks.