Saint Lucian social entrepreneur Keithlin Caroo-Afrifa has been appointed to the Board of Directors of The Equality Fund, one of the world’s largest feminist funds dedicated to supporting gender justice movements.
Caroo, a leading advocate for gender equity in agriculture, is one of two grantee partners selected to serve on the Board and the only Caribbean national in this role.
The Equality Fund is a groundbreaking initiative that combines grantmaking, investment, policy advocacy, and philanthropy to sustain and scale feminist movements globally. Since its launch in 2019, it has activated $100 million in support of over 1 000 women’s rights organisations across 100 countries.
The Equality Fund shifts powers and resources to women’s rights organisations, feminist networks, and LGBTQI+ activists worldwide to drive long-term change. Its support spans across the Global South and East, spanning Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and beyond, recognising that grassroots leadership is critical for advancing gender equality and economic justice.
Caroo’s appointment brings a unique Caribbean perspective to the Equality Fund’s mission, reinforcing its commitment to economic and climate justice in rural and agricultural communities. As the Founder and Executive Director of Helen’s Daughters, Caroo has been at the forefront of empowering rural women farmers in the Caribbean. Under her leadership, Helen’s Daughters has trained thousands of women in sustainable agriculture, financial literacy, and agribusiness development, providing them with the tools to build resilient and profitable farming enterprises.
A Goodwill Ambassador for the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and a member of the Citizen Advisory Group for the US-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 under the Biden-Harris administration, Caroo has championed policies that address the intersection of gender, climate change, and food security. Her work has been recognised globally,
with features in BBC, National Geographic, and Forbes, and in 2021, she was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her exceptional contributions to agriculture and rural women’s empowerment.
“I am deeply honored to join the Board of the Equality Fund at such a pivotal time for feminist funding and movement-building,” said Caroo.
“This appointment is not just a personal milestone but a recognition of the vital role that Caribbean women play in shaping global conversations on gender, economic empowerment, and climate resilience. I look forward to ensuring that the voices of rural and agricultural communities are heard in feminist funding spaces.”
The Equality Fund said it welcomes Caroo’s expertise in economic justice, rural development, and climate resilience, recognising her ability to bridge global feminist philanthropy with grassroots solutions that directly impact women’s lives.
