Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 01, 2016 (SKNIS): The International Women’s Day (IWD) activities that were held this year during the month of March have served as motivation to continue carving out an equal place for women in society even outside the month of March.
Celia Christopher, Director of Gender Affairs in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender Affairs and Social Services has revealed that her department will continue to work to ensure that the momentum that was harnessed during the IWD activities will continue.
“We are trying not to confine ourselves to just International Women’s Day because we believe that women should be celebrated throughout the entire year and always,” she said. “So in that regard, we are now working on rolling out programmes throughout the year. Instead of one month we are looking at starting our activities, probably next year as early as January – with little activities here and there leading up to International Women’s Day. And throughout the year as well, where we have the international activities that we celebrate or commemorate.”
This year’s IWD activities were under the theme “Pledge for Parity,” and the first major activity was an IWD Award Ceremony and Breakfast held March 08, which was the day of commemoration.
“The activities for this year in my opinion have been very successful,” Mrs. Christopher said. “The International Women’s Day Award in particular, was very well attended and the post celebration comments that we have received have been very encouraging.”
The awardees were Jacqueline Lenora Browne, Merclyn Hughes, Maureen Dickenson, Cherryl Ward, Raslyn Connor and Malvie James who were awarded in the fields of law enforcement, military and rescue services, science (including medical science), media and information communications technology, agriculture and industry. These women contributed to the growth and prosperity of the Federation in their respective fields.
There was also an Industrial Estate Workshop held March 16 at Kajola Kristada Conference Room at the C. A. Paul Southwell Industrial Estate. It accommodated 14 female employees from various enterprises at the site. Participants were given insight into the work and responsibility of the Department of Gender Affairs, while Minister of State responsible for Social Development and Gender Affairs, Honourable Wendy Phipps delivered the keynote address on the contribution of the industrial estate to the economic growth and international competitiveness of the Federation. The women were given the opportunity to question and exchange views with Minister Phipps.
A Student Sensitization Campaign ran from March 7 –18 and involved coordinated visits to the six public high schools in St. Kitts to address students on matters relevant to IWD. Presenters and partners included Jihan Williams, Roy Phipps, Asha DeSuza and reigning Miss St. Kitts Orngel Erskine.
The Director of Gender Affairs revealed that there is one additional activity that will be held in commemoration of IWD.
“At this point in time there is one activity that is left to be completed, that is the Grieving Parents Workshop,” Mrs. Christopher said. “We are trying very hard to get that up and running. Some time this month we would be successfully able to conduct this workshop.”
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