Woman Inc to benefit from Civil Service Week/FHC 5K

WOMEN recovering from abusive and violent relationships and receiving support and assistance from Woman Inc will benefit from this year’s renewal of the second annual Civil Service Week/FHC (First Heritage Co-operative) Credit Union 5K charity road race. The run, which had its inaugural staging in 2018, will take place on November 16 at 6:30 am, beginning at Emancipation Park in New Kingston.

The road race is one event on a full calendar to mark the observance of Civil Service Week 2019, slated for observance from November 17 through 23.

This year, FHC has partnered with the Civil Service Association to stage the event in order to realise team-building, health and wellness objectives for members of and stakeholders in the civil service, as well as participants in the now-popular 5K race events.

FHC CEO Roxann Linton indicated that the FHC was particularly pleased to continue to deepen its partnership with the Civil Service Association, while supporting the work of Woman Inc.

“Empowering women who have suffered abuse, strengthening the morale of our civil service, and providing financial leadership while promoting health and wellness are important areas to FHC. This road race brings all of the main areas of FHC’s public focus together in one event, designed to make a difference in the lives of the nation’s women while improving the health and wellness of our nation’s public sector workers,” she said.

Noted as the largest workforce grouping locally, a large segment of civil servants consists of women; the ratio of males to females within that workforce being 6:1.

Speaking at the launch, held September 13 at Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston, Finance and Public Service Minister Dr Nigel Clarke, who had joined the participants in last year’s inaugural race, lauded the focus of this year’s event in contributing to the absolutely vital work being done by Woman Inc through their shelter, as well as building the esprit de corps of the civil service, given the tremendous role of service the association plays across all segments of the society.

“We are very grateful to First Heritage for staging this very important event. The public service plays a vital role in the functioning of our nation, and having a vibrant, motivated and healthy public service is in everyone’s interest,” he said.

Established in 1984, Woman Inc is a registered, non-governmental organisation that is committed to strengthening the position of Jamaican women through providing support services, public education, and by lobbying for legislative action on their behalf.