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EmpowerHer Event Celebrates Young Women for International Women’s Day 2025

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(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, March 14th, 2025) Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams proudly hosted an EmpowerHer Event on March 11th, 2025, in celebration of International Women’s Day. This inspiring gathering brought together teenage girls from high schools across the Turks and Caicos Islands at the Messel Ballroom of the Palms Resort.

The event commenced with a welcome and engaging icebreaker activity titled “Unboxing Your Potential,” led by the host, Ms. Julianna Musgrove, the Deputy Secretary of the Deputy Governor’s Office. Participants were invited to open gifted boxes containing various items, each representing a personal aspiration or challenge. The young ladies shared their reflections on the significance of each object, sparking conversations about their potential, ambitions, and dreams.

Following the gracious welcome, attendees participated in a stimulating panel discussion entitled “Empowered and Unstoppable.” This insightful session featured a group of esteemed speakers and was moderated by Ms. Julianna Musgrove, Deputy Secretary within the Office of the Deputy Governor and former Regional Manager of Learning and Development, Sandals. The panel included Miss Raynae Myers, the current titleholder of Miss Turks and Caicos Islands 2025/26; Ms. Gemely Lubin, a Curriculum Development Officer and Lecturer at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC); and Ms. Nakier Wilson, the innovative founder of Kier’s Hairapy and TCI Pretty Careers, a training program focused on “All Things Beauty” for young girls.

The panelists shared invaluable knowledge on the importance of seeking and trusting the right advice regarding education, career and paths. Each speaker emphasized the significance of resilience, self-awareness, and the power of community support in navigating life’s challenges. The stories they shared inspired the young attendees to forge their paths confidently and passionately.

Miss Raynae Myers Miss Turks and Caicos 2024/25 gave words of wisdom and encouraged the ladies to be themselves, “One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that the most powerful thing you can be in this world is yourself. Society will always have expectations, opinions, and definitions of who you should be, but none of that matters if you are not true to yourself. There is only one you, and that is your superpower.”

In attendance and bringing remarks was the Minister for Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Rachel Taylor in her powerful address said, “Every great leader started as a young person with a dream and the determination to achieve it.  You have the power to write your own story. But that story is shaped by the choices you make today. You were not born to simply exist—you were born to excel. Never accept limitations placed on you by others. The world needs your brilliance, your innovation, and your leadership.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Governor H.E. Anya Williams, in her charge to the young ladies stated,“On this International Women’s Day and everyday, I want you young ladies to know that you are special and that as the future generation, the future depends on you. We can set the foundation, build the framework, and open the door for you, but it is up to you to walk through it. As teens, I know that you are going through a phase of transformation and there are a few life lessons I want to share with you that I hope will help you along the way. 

Know that you are defined not by your outward appearance but by what is inside of you. Your character and skills matter far more than your outward appearance, the clothes you wear, or the material things you own. Never let material things motivate or define you! Life will present challenges, but you must develop resilience. The ability to bounce back, to fight, and to keep going. You are not defined by your mistakes. Everyone makes them. What is important is how you respond and what you learn from them to either grow or avoid repeating them.  Leadership does not have a single definition and there is no limit on what you can become in life, once you set your mind to it!”

The EmpowerHer Event was a resounding success, providing a platform for young women to connect with role models, learn from their experiences, and build a supportive network. As the event concluded, the participants left with renewed motivation, equipped with the tools and encouragement to pursue their aspirations fearlessly.

The Office of the Deputy Governor remains committed to fostering opportunities for young women in the Turks and Caicos Islands and looks forward to organizing more events that empower and uplift future generations.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/semmn6bd6upbcwbctk7cm/ADwq0pIFYxZW9Ffc8yGCYyg?rlkey=dvy6prn9ns5yzmrn2btpd9j6a&st=9o8qt3di&dl=0

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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News

Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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