In a powerful demonstration of collective giving and youth-led philanthropy, the International Women’s Day (IWD) Piggy Bank Initiative raised over EC$1,200 in a single day in support of Youth Arise, a charity founded by 2026 Young Women in Leadership (YWiL) participant Ms. Makiba Ward.
The initiative formed part of the Young Women in Leadership (YWiL) programme’s International Women’s Day activities, aligning with the 2026 IWD theme, “Give to Gain.” The YWiL participants were invited to hear presentations from three charities founded by young women, each dedicated to addressing important social issues and empowering communities, and voted to determine which organization would receive the proceeds of the IWD Piggy Bank collection. Youth Arise received more than 65% of the vote, reflecting strong support for the organization’s mission and impact.
The donation was formally presented by the Treasurer of CIWiL Antigua and Barbuda, Alecia Cherubin, while Ms. Desire Markham, Queen of Carnival 2024, graciously accepted the contribution on behalf of Youth Arise.
Senator the Hon. Alincia Williams Grant, President of the Senate and Interim Chair of the Network of Women Parliamentarians Antigua and Barbuda (NWPAB), noted that the programme reflects the value of partnerships among CIWiL, ParlAmericas, and the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda in strengthening leadership networks and building capacity for young women, particularly as the activities coincided with the observance of International Women’s Day and Commonwealth Day. She further noted that “the IWD Piggy Bank initiative highlighted the spirit of young women supporting and investing in one another’s ideas, reinforcing the belief that when women uplift each other, entire communities benefit.”
The initiative also marked the culmination of the YWiL 2026 mentorship programme, an intensive eight-week leadership journey held from 21 January to 9 March, designed to equip young women with the knowledge, confidence, and practical experience needed to participate in leadership and national development.
Throughout the programme, participants engaged in virtual training sessions on gender equality, feminist advocacy in Antigua and Barbuda, parliamentary processes, leadership development, and the review of cannabis legislation, complemented by in-person activities including a leadership workshop, a tour and practice session in Parliament, a gender-based violence awareness walk, an all-female parliamentary sitting, and a closing ceremony celebrating the achievements of the 2026 cohort.
The YWil 2026 cohort also included three participants from Barbuda, in Speaker of the House, Star George, Shaznie Beazer and Saniqua Jeffery.
Reflecting on the experience, YWiL participant Jeressa Jeremy shared, “I am sincerely grateful to CIWiL and YWiL for this opportunity to develop my voice in general and in a parliamentary setting. This experience has reinforced my interest in the intersection of research and diplomacy, and I look forward to more opportunities to contribute to the development of our country.”
Through initiatives such as these, the YWiL programme continues to nurture civic engagement, leadership development, and collaboration among the next generation of women leaders in Antigua and Barbuda.