Message from the President

I wish to extend a hearty welcome to the Jamaica Network of Rural Women Producers (JNRWP) website. Establishing a website has been a dream of the Network for several years as we have thought it necessary for us to share some of the organization’s information with you through this medium.

Through the website, we are able to showcase our membership and the work we do. More specifically the website will serve as:

A marketing tool for our members who operate micro and small enterprises and assist those who are active in cottage industry in the rural areas of Jamaica. It will provide online service with the office acting as a hub for information and online transactions.
A communication machinery which is updated regularly to inform the world of the success of our rural women and the work done to reduce poverty and marginalization, which make them more empowered
An introduction to the organization and familiarize viewers with the mission and vision of the Network
A vehicle to create transparency and accountability; highlight the success stories and publicly show our appreciation to donor agencies and collaborating agencies.

In essence, you will be able to access information about the JNRWP from anywhere without having to travel from your location.

We are particularly pleased to be able to share this information with you. The achievements which we report on throughout this site have been made possible by the devotion of several members, stakeholders and well wishers.

I must give special thanks to:

Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA), which through its Home Economics Officers, provided valuable skills training and guidance to grass-root rural women of JNRWP;
the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), JNRWP’s founder and facilitator, where the Rural Development Specialist, Shauna Brandon and Linette Bailey provided the handholding experience through the embryonic stage of our development;
Bureau of Women’s Affairs, which has provided our office space and a conducive working environment to enhance upward mobility

I also acknowledge the invaluable contribution of UNIFEM, Private Sector Development Program (PSDP), who sponsored the initial development of this website, Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and Council Voluntary Social Service (CVSS).

Special thanks to Mrs. Marcia Phillips-Dawkins and Mrs. Faith Webster who shared with me their knowledge and acted as advisors whenever I encountered my challenges. Your contribution helps to write JNRWP success story. I have to also thank my daughter Kendra, who tolerated my absence when I cheated on quality time that should be given to my family.

Advocating for change in rural women lives is not an easy task and needs many supporters. The JNRWP has been encouraged by the fact that if we networked and worked assiduously, we could reduce the level of marginalization and improve our economic status. I look forward to the time when society will realize the role that rural women play in the development of their country: from agriculture and agro processing to services and child rearing. Our contribution when measured is a lot!