Feminitt: Five Years Strong and Growing!
Today Feminitt Caribbean celebrates five years of transformative work and collective advocacy! Join us as we reflect on our journey and projects so far, gathering reflections from our dedicated and ground breaking team.
The Right Way Toolkit
A developing project, The Right Way advocates for accessible sexual and reproductive health and education infrastructure in rural communities in Trinidad and Tobago. Our toolkit currently presents five modules to facilitate educational opportunities about our bodies, health and rights, encouraging an intergenerational practice of Comprehensive Sexuality Education.
Safe Cycle
Since launching in 2020, Safe Cycle has developed three phases of menstrual health education, service delivery, and Safe Cycle Report. The phases of this programme provides resources and insights with educational material and critical data about menstrual health and menstrual equity. Safe Cycle has also established eleven care banks across Trinidad and Tobago facilitating access to free menstrual products and care.
Break the Stigma Pass the Pad
Launched in 2024 building from the Safe Cycle campaign, Break the Stigma Pass the Pad aims to extend the Safe Cycle project to enact change around period poverty and harmful stigma, especially in school environments.
Blogs
“What d F” launched on June 28 2021, providing a platform breaking down questions about menstrual health, sustainability, feminist thinking, current happenings in the Caribbean and much more. The efforts of our teams blogs hope to generate and sustain conversations for the communities we ourselves are often a part of, and work for/with.
Our work cannot exist without the care, solidarity and dedication of our team, some of whom have shared their reflections on five years of Feminitt so far, and our excitement for what’s to come:
Chanelle Burnett-Beatrice (Co Executive Director): From its original imaginative concept to where it is now, five years later, I am beyond proud to have built this organization alongside each team member that’s here today. Feminitt Caribbean has provided Trinidad and Tobago’s civil society with a unique perspective embodied with youth leadership that thrives on the intersectionality of intergenerational knowledge, the much needed perspectives of marginalised communities, and those who paved the way for where we are today. This organization has never been afraid of what’s right and going beyond the norm – a trait I wish never to see fade away, even when we who are here may. I look forward to Feminitt’s continued stability, its influence as a young civil society organization, and its ability to continue supporting the needs of those who are often left behind.
Rhiannon Rouse (Graphic Designer): Feminitt has allowed me to work alongside many wonderful people with the drive towards improving gender justice in Trinidad. Through the Safe Cycle programme Feminitt has stayed true to their goal of ensuring accessibility to period products as well as education through various platforms remain a top priority. It has been a pleasure to see Feminitt’s reach broaden beyond horizons during my tenure and I look forward to seeing its continued growth.
Xala Ramesar (Co Executive Director + Visual Design Lead): Reflecting on Feminitt's journey thus far, I am moved by the profound sense of community that has blossomed around our work. The support and solidarity we’ve received from across the region have been nothing short of inspiring. It’s heartening to witness how many people share our vision and are equally committed to the causes we champion. Equally remarkable is the progress we’ve made in advancing SRHR education and support. The strides we’ve taken to help empower communities with knowledge and resources have far exceeded my initial expectations, and I am continually amazed by the impact we’ve been able to achieve together. This journey has not only reinforced the importance of our mission but also highlighted the transformative power of collective action and shared values.
I am looking forward to Feminitt’s future as we continue to deepen our support for communities, bridge critical knowledge gaps, and advocate for transformative policy changes. There is so much potential to expand our impact, foster greater understanding, and create lasting systemic change. I am excited about the opportunity to further amplify marginalized voices, challenge norms, and build a more equitable and inclusive society. Together, I believe we can not only sustain the momentum we’ve built but also push boundaries, innovate, and inspire a future where sexual and reproductive health and rights are universally upheld and respected. The journey ahead is filled with promise, and I am energized by the community’s commitment to driving meaningful progress.
Marc Skinner (Research and Policy Officer): When reflecting on the work of Feminitt Caribbean, my mind always drifts to the word focus. When you believe that speaking your mind matters, it’s easy to speak on the many injustices you see. Feminitt has operated five years with clear direction, taking many forms and collaborating with related struggles. It’s been to our benefit and, I believe, to the benefit of the Gender Justice and Equity in T&T and the wider Caribbean.”
Saidi Moseley (Lead Researcher) : Feminitt’s work has been extremely impactful in our short five year history. We have taken on the task of not only popularizing and putting period poverty and menstrual health on the radar, but have proposed action items to address these issues. We’ve approached education in a popular and people-centered way, aiming to break down shame that has been embedded in us by a violent capitalist system, and instead put forward a holistic and accepting view of our bodies. My time at Feminitt has been a pleasure and I can’t wait to see how the organization continues to grow and adapt to make even more powerful contributions.
Scott Marchack (Researcher) : I have been reflecting on my work with Feminitt while also undertaking my masters in work, organizational and personnel psychology in terms of CSE and how it is not only relevant in the context of schools but also wider aspects of society. At the end of the day CSE is a really powerful tool advocating for gender justice and I look forward to seeing how I can bring the knowledge from this master's to my activism with Feminitt to make a meaningful impact.
Ashlee Burnett-Beatrice (Programmes Manager): When Feminitt was first dreamed up, I don't think any of us imagined where we'd be today. I am truly inspired by the team and culture we have built. We are working to build a collective that is rooted in love and bravery. Everyday I learn how to be patient, kind, and hopeful, learning from my mistakes and feeling held when the floor beneath me shakes. The world as we know it continues to shift into darkness, but the team at Feminitt is a struck match. The last 5 years have allowed us to innovate to achieve menstrual equity and contribute to SRHR advocacy and action in our country and region. We are here to stay.
Throughout our advocacy so far, we have been committed to bettering gender justice through an intersectional feminist praxis that informs and mobilises socio-cultural and political development. Our work is not done, we continue to mobilise and advocate for just and transformative politics and care in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean.
We remain dedicated to furthering these goals, to continue building and further empowering our communities in our region.