A Promise is A Promise – Keep It!

“In the nineteenth century, the central moral challenge was slavery. In the twentieth century, it was the battle against totalitarianism. We believe that in this century the principal moral challenge will be the struggle for gender equality around the world.” Excerpt from Nicholas  D Kristof; in Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.

Women’s rights have improved over the past century, but it is evident that that is not the case throughout the world.  There is still a need for women to live equally and have all the opportunities to achieve the goals they have set.

This year’s theme, “THE GENDER AGENDA: GAINING MOMENTUM” aim to inspire and create the motivation for women in St Kitts Nevis in particular and women in the world in general.  It is about the celebration of the courage and determination of the everyday Jane Doe who quietly makes extraordinary contributions to our communities, women who knowingly or unknowingly supported by their actions keep the flames lit for the advancement and empowerment of gender equality worldwide.

However, it would be irrational for us to ignore the discrimination and abuse that still exist!  As simple as it sounds when we consider the gender agenda, you will find that in defining gender we paint the picture that boys are football players, girls are cheerleaders, men are CEOs and women are secretaries; what nonsense! If I had my way the characterization would be reversed but that too would be nonsense! To combat that antiquated approach I ask for equity and equality in all spheres. 

Our policy makers should do more than pay lip service …. too often, in my view they deliberately pass up the opportunity to act in the interest of gender balance.  Case in point; since our independence the Federation has had five (5) Attorney Generals – count with me

1. Tapley Seaton

2. Delano Bart

3. Dennis Merchant

4. Patrice Nisbett

5. Jason Hamilton all males

Do you see the commitment here to gender balance??????
This lack of commitment, lack of representation in politics, increase in domestic violence, and rape is call for urgent concern and immediate action. 

Though, not quite imminent in our Federation we have to keep a keen eye out to prevent the trafficking of women and girls. This to my mind is the worst case of abuse.

As we celebrate, “The Gender Agenda: Gaining momentum” I admonish our policy makers to:-

• Involve stakeholders in the sustainability of gender sensitivity into national policies and developmental decision making that are not political but national

• Acknowledge the significance of gender mainstreaming into national policy

• Note that most women who support women’s right are not feminists but merely humanists and contributes to the GDP

• Ensure the swift dissemination of policies to improve the quality of life for the Federation’s women

• Create a national platform for sensitizing, educating and encouraging dialogue about gender issues thus building a national awareness

• Use gender sensitive policies as guidelines for new and emerging legislature

• Establish, appoint and promote watchdog groups to monitor and evaluate frameworks for assessing the status of gender balance in the Federation

• Support legislation to ensure affordable and appropriate healthcare for women

I therefore call on civil society, political and religious entities in the Federation to incorporate and support gender mainstreaming into their mandate and decrease the disproportion and inequities for male and female in leadership!  A promise is a promise …….Keep It and ACT now!  Happy International Women’s Day!

March 8, 2013

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