Countries all across the world have today, March 8, are reflecting on the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women, while at the same time championing gender equality, in recognition of International Women’s Day 2017.Right here at home in St. Kitts and Nevis is no different, as the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender Affairs and Social Development has spearheaded a number of activities to mark the occasion, including an International Women’s Day awards ceremony at Government House.
The United Nations theme for this year’s observation of International Women’s Day is, “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030”.
In adding his voice to the issue of women’s rights and gender equality, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris said his Team Unity Government continues to be a strong advocate for gender parity.“Team Unity recognizes that without the effective participation of women in all areas of national life, progress and development will be stultified and anemic.
Accordingly, we have encouraged and invited our women to be active participants in national life,” Prime Minister Harris said in a statement. Dr. Harris said this is evident through the elevation of a number of women to key leadership roles since his administration took office just over two years ago.
Meanwhile the SKNLP member of Parliament for Constituency #2 Marcella Liburd speaking to Freedom Fm on Wednesday, said she was encouraging the women of SKN to be strong and resolute in spite of setbacks to women’s development over the past 2 years under a Team Unity administration.
Liburd pointed out that women’s gains had been systematically eroded and marginalized by terminations and victimization of women resulting in the loss of over 200 jobs for women in the federation.
Liburd further contended that such programs as Women In Small Enterprse(WISE) and the Peoples Empowerment Program(PEP) which were beneficial to women, had been cut by the TUG.
In Nevis the Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams, Junior Minister responsible for Gender Affairs in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) on the occasion of International Woman’s Day, celebrated on March 08 said that International Women’s Day, is a worldwide event that celebrates the achievements of women across various spectrums of society, while at the same time sounding a clarion call for greater gender equality, so as to build on gains already made.
Ours, must be a bold campaign for change which helps our men to understand, that the economic empowerment of our women is a reduced burden on their shoulders, as the responsibility for being the ‘bread-winner’ of the home is shared more evenly and equitably. Ours, must be a bold campaign for change which seeks to eradicate the stain of domestic abuse in our homes and preserves the life and dignity of our wives and daughters.
Ours, must be a bold campaign for change which says that the paucity of women in political leadership must become a thing of the past, for our democracy will be the better when we do it together.