Roadtown, Tortola - Minister of Health and Social Development Honourable Dancia Penn, OBE, QC is taking an active role in bringing greater awareness to gender-related issues in the Territory and wider world.

Honourable Penn will lead a Heart Healthy Walk this Saturday, 7 March to focus attention on International Women’s Day.

The day, which aims to highlight both the successes and challenges of women, will be celebrated around the world on Sunday, 8 March. “International Women’s Day is not only a time for reflection and appreciation, but also a time for anticipation.

As such I appeal to men and women across the Territory to recognise International Women’s Day and support the events planned for it. I also look forward to leading a Heart Healthy Walk this Saturday, in support of this important observance,” the Minister said.

Saturday’s Heart Healthy Walk will start at the Central Administration Building. The Minister will lead the participants through the Noel Lloyd/Positive Action Movement Park, along deCastro Street, onto the James Walter Francis Drive and to the CSY Dock in Baughers Bay before returning to the Central Administration Building in Road Town.

Each year International Women’s Day is celebrated under a particular theme and the United Nations has chosen ‘Women and Men United to End Violence against Women and Girls’ as its theme for 2009. The Office of Gender Affairs has adopted the theme ‘Women and Men United to Build Healthy Relationships’ as the local theme for this year.