Official address in recognition of International Women’s Day 2016 March 8, 2016 By Hon Wendy C. Phipps Minister of State with Responsibility for Health, Social Services, Community Development and Gender Affairs
Fellow Citizens and Residents of St. Kitts & Nevis:
I am extremely pleased to address everyone in our Federation on this important occasion of International Women’s Day 2016. Today, Tuesday, March 8th, St. Kitts and Nevis joins the rest of the global community in celebrating women the world over. The Federal Government of St. Kitts and Nevis applauds all of our women folk for their achievements, for their collective legacies in nation-building, for their undaunted determination, and for their zeal in advocating for the advancement of every woman and girl in our Country.
International Women’s Day 2016 is being celebrated under the theme “Pledge for Parity”, which falls within the wider mandate of UN Women dubbed: “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up For Gender Equality”. This year’s theme was deliberately chosen because of the extremely slow pace at which the global gender gap appears to be closing: the World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that full closure of the gender gap is not expected before the year 2133 – a downgraded assessment from that given in 2014 when the said organisation pegged the attainment of gender parity by 2095. What this means is, that at the current rate, gender equity is 117 years away. This is certainly not good enough – and all of us currently living will certainly not be around to see that momentous, albeit seriously overdue achievement in feminine human development. “Pledge for Parity” is therefore meant to be a clarion call for (a) gender-balanced leadership; (b) women and girls being enabled to achieve their full potential; and (c) inclusiveness in the workplace in order to eliminate gender bias, among other matters.
We, in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, must take seriously the call for “Pledge for Parity”. The women of our Nation are our mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, nurturers, teachers, burden bearers, unsung heroes, and masters of sacrificial living and giving for the good of the families they love and raise. Moreover, provisional 2015 employment data1 illustrates that of a total labour force of 25,866 workers, a total of 13,530 are females – which represents 52% of the workforce. This reconfirms for me the fact that women continue to play an active part in (1) the generation of wealth; (2) national productivity improvements; (3) economic competitiveness; and (4) socio-economic stability. Add to this statistic the fact that more than 50% of our households are still headed by single mothers and one would have to agree that the advancement of St. Kitts and Nevis, to a considerable extent, is being fueled by the energy, effort, intellect, skills and talents of our women folk. To these giants of femininity our Federal Government says: “BRAVO! JOB WELL DONE!” You are all epitomes of womanhood.
You are WOMAN.
You are our Warriors; our Organisers; our Mentors & Matriarchs; our Adaptors, and our Nurturers. We salute you all!
Celebrations of International Women’s Day go back to the turn of the 20th Century when women began advocating for such rights as decent employment and the right to vote. Although the annual celebrations may have evolved over the years, the message remains unchanged: International Women’s Day is meant to celebrate women - the world over - for their contributions to the social, economic, cultural and political development at the domestic, community, national and international levels. Whether these celebrations are marked by marches, award ceremonies, motivational speeches, training opportunities, or public holidays – as is the case with some 27 Member States of the United Nations – International Women’s Day observances are meant to sensitize and educate everyone about women’s contributions, their struggles and challenges, their successes and potential.
A variety of impactful events have been planned by the Department of Gender Affairs for the 2016 celebration of International Women’s Day. These activities commenced on Sunday, February 28, 2016 when the staff of the Department worshipped at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Sandy Point.
It should be noted that the events are staggered over a 45 day period, and include the following:
- March 8th - (IWD 2016) ~ Breakfast & Awards Ceremony at St. Kitts Marriott Resort, starting at 9:00 a.m. [& Minister’s Message to Launch the IWD 2016 activities]
- March 9th - Industrial Site Workshop on "The Contribution of Women to the Development of St. Kitts & Nevis”
- March 14th-18th High School Visits: for Gender Sensitization Talks
- April 1st - Women’s Symposium (evening event in collaboration with the Department of Community Development)
On our sister island, Nevis, a number of special International Women’s Day events are also being staged, including a Church Service, a Women’s Symposium, and the Launch of the Non-traditional Occupational Training for Women (NOW).
A number of other activities are also being finalised [on St. Kitts], such as a One-day Stakeholder Workshop on the Domestic Violence Protocol, radio app6earances, and a Support Programme for Grieving Mothers who have been affected by the loss of children due to violence.
The staging of our International Women’s Day 2016 celebrations could not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of the small staff complement at the Department of Gender Affairs. Under the leadership of Mrs Celia Christopher, Director of Gender Affairs, and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Janelle Lewis-Tafari, the Department has been creative in planning a number of activities that are timely, relevant and impactful. These projects and programmes also fall within the overall mandate of the Department, which is concentrated on advocacy for genderbased development in the Federation. The Federal Government uses this opportunity to commend Mrs Christopher and her five-member team for their magnanimous efforts. Equally, commendations are in order for the support teams that annually contribute to the staging of the International Women’s Day events. Such groups include representatives from nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) with an interest in women’s advancement, including the Christian Councils and Evangelical Associations; Business and Professional Women’s Club; and the Mother’s Union of the Anglican Communion. This year, we add to the list of supporters FirstCaribbean International Bank (FCIB), which is providing a scholarship to a deserving teen mother.
I could not close this national address without congratulating all of the women who are being honoured today, on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2016.
In St. Kitts, this year’s six (6) awardees are being recognised for rendering yeoman service in the following fields:
- Media, and Information & Communications Technology (ICT)
- Agriculture and Agri-business
- Science (including Medical Science)
- Law Enforcement, Military and Rescue Services
Ten women in Nevis are also being recognised for excellent service in area of community development.
We salute all of today’s awardees – and also the thousands of women in our Federation who continue to serve without recognition, against the odds, regardless of their circumstances. You are all heroes and paragons of good examples to our young women and girls whom we are all called to mentor and to groom. When we would have carried out this sacred trust, our young women and girls can then walk into the destinies created specifically for them by God, their Creator.
May God bless all women in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. On behalf of the Federal Government I extend best wishes for a very memorable, peaceful, focused and meaningful celebration of International Women’s Day 2016.
*************************
DISCLAIMER
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers
