Women Empowered for Decision Making at the Highest Level

~~Adz:Right~~Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 28, 2008 (SKNIS):  Thirty one women graduated from the Democratic Institute on May 27th prepared to shape policy at the national level.

The UNIFEM sponsored institute was developed to give women the practical tools to contribute to decision making at the national and international levels.

Director of Gender Affairs Ingrid Charles-Gumbs said participants benefitted from the four month training with various facilitators from key sectors in the community. She said the ladies from the glass had already banded themselves together in a group dubbed Winning With Women.

Ms. Gumbs said it is not and has never been a matter of equality but rather a matter of entitlement, while stressing the fact that a paradigm shift is required as far as the role of women in the political and decision making arenas goes.

She added that it seemed that the Democratic Institute ensured that women can now demand their role in these areas knowing that they are versed in the appropriate disciplines. Emphasizing the fact that both genders have important and meaningful inputs in terms of decisions at the national level, the director called on other women to come forward to participate when future sessions are presented.     

Training topics included International Instruments for the advancement of women, The Constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis, Lobbying, Women’s Priorities, Effective Communication, Transformational Leadership, Community Mobilization, Protocol and Grooming for Public Life.

The challenges of women’s political participation were also discussed.

Graduating among this group of women was former speaker of the National Assembly Ms. Marcella Liburd. Other women in the group have expressed their intention to use the expertise gained to lobby on issues related to national development.

OAS Director Mr. Starrett Greene, was the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony held at the FND.