Bureau of Gender Affairs to observe International Women’s Day

Kyra Paul is acting director of the Bureau of Gender Affairs
Kyra Paul is acting director of the Bureau of Gender Affairs

In efforts to create awareness on issues for women, the Bureau of Gender Affairs will join the rest of the world in celebrating International Women’s Day on Tuesday, March 8.

International Women’s Day is a world’s recognized and renowned day to celebrate women, those who have achieved and have been successful in different areas, whether it’s social, economic, political and entrepreneurial.

“The activity that is planned for International Women’s Day it’s not something that is very much tangible, it’s more about creating awareness…it’s more or less encouraging those who can really speak out on issues,” Acting Director of the Bureau of Gender Affairs, Kyra Paul said during a press briefing on Thursday. “It’s a day to reflect on what it means as a woman, to reflect on how we as individual women can shape society, it’s also a day to celebrate the phenomenal women who might be coming up in the future.”

She stated also that the day will be used to bring awareness on all of the inequalities that exist, “whether it is in the social arena, economic arena, political arena…”

“The day as we celebrate women we must also recognize that there are inequalities which exist and one of those is violence against women, the level of violence that women and young girls continue to experience,” she noted.

Paul mentioned that the response to violence against women has to be two-fold. “While you are also addressing the justice aspect as it relates to the victim, we also have to address the perpetrators themselves,” she said. “There should be no blaming for the victim or anything that should lend justification for the behaviour of someone who violates you, irrespective of whether your behaviour is questionable as to what society deems as appropriate or normal.”

A number of activities have been planned to form part of the day’s celebration.

“We will be joining hands with Digicel, Lifeline Ministries, Kairi FM and Dominica National Council of Women (DNCW) to pay tribute to women who have contributed to national development. We will be awarding a few women for the contribution to national development in various sectors,” Paul explained.

The activity will take place outside the Digicel Flagship Store in the centre of Roseau beginning with a red carpet affair from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm followed by an awards ceremony from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Women are encouraged to wear something purple to join the campaign dubbed, “Da Women Rock Purple”.

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20 Comments

  1. Donkey
    March 7, 2016

    How sad that whenever a woman tries to celebrate women or address the real sexism that women face, a group of men will come in and start asking why men aren’t being included or will attempt to dismiss the women’s claims. This is no different from white people arguing that Black History Month is racist if there is no White History Month. That very behaviour is partly why we keep complaining about men who do not respect women.

    We do not live in an equal society. When marginalised groups speak up, they do not need to include the dominant group in everything.

  2. V
    March 7, 2016

    Petter Potter, we should stop bringing down our women, Ms Paul is a very Strong, smart and Beautiful Woman, You ROCK>>>>>

    • Peter Potter
      March 8, 2016

      Is that so? Nothing to do with the fact that she is the daughter of a DLP member of parliament? Don’t try and fool me… I have eyes that see and ears that hear and I can add one and one together! Corruption everywhere you look in this country.

  3. Peter Potter
    March 7, 2016

    How appropriate that you will be joining hands with Kairi FM! Are you for real, woman? How on earth do these people get these jobs?

  4. March 6, 2016

    We will be launching a new Helpline from Lifeline and DNCW. Adults, stand with children brave enough to speak out about what is going on in secret, in the dark and online. Remember children who get involved in premature sexual behaviour have usually been initiated by someone else. Do not blame the child. At the same time be an example to the children so they do not think that transactional sex is OK. Adults who were abused as children – it is not too late – expose those who abused you, they are probably still hurting a child somewhere,

  5. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    March 5, 2016

    Bureau of what gender affairs?

    You are talking about you are some director of gender affairs, as far as we know there are only two gender where it pertains to the human species, and that is male, and female; so if you are into something which relates to women exclusively, it would appear to me that you are into full blown gender discrimination against men; therefore you are anti-male, or anti-man.

    Hence we have to be careful how we utilize the English language since the definition of the word “gender” imply, or simply mean a subclass within a grammatical class such as a noun, pronoun, adjective or verb of a language that is partly arbitrary; nevertheless, partly based on distinguishable characteristics such as shape, social rank and manner of existence, ect, ect, and etcetera!

    Are you into human gender discrimination?

    • Donkey
      March 7, 2016

      You are one of those tone-deaf persons who think that anything that does not equally include everything is discriminatory. That might be true if we lived in an equal society, where men and women–to take gender as an example–were treated equally and truly had equal opportunities. But the fact of the matter is that women do not have equal opportunities, nor are women treated by many men as their equals. Therefore, a gender bureau will most likely target women’s concerns because those are the primary concerns that need targeting to achieve equality. How unsurprising that a man does not see that. Moreover, a gender bureau should also target transgender individuals’ experiences–so it is not solely cisgender men and women, but individuals of all identities.

      And, honestly, there is nothing wrong with celebrating women on a single day. Are you against Black History Month because it has the word ‘Black’ in it, rather than ‘All-Races History Month?’ Jeez.

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        March 8, 2016

        If you are responding to me your name surly describes your traits, and human characteristics, you need to look after your silly, warped and corrupt mentality before you try to tackle me.

        I do not waste my time with people less educated than I; nor from a lower level in life!

        Look for your kind; I am above your stupid rhetoric!

  6. The truth
    March 5, 2016

    I am waiting to hear you all condemn the abuse of the elderly and children. Why in these cases you all mouth and teeth close tight, tight. What are you all afraid of, our women must stop being hypocrite. In the 1990’s women from all over the country would be on the street demonstrating. There is no more love one another. Let us look deep within and examine our consciences.

  7. concerned dominican
    March 5, 2016

    and when is National Children’s Day? A day for ALL women in Dominica should observe to STOPT the
    abuse of our children by pedophiles, from their fathers to people in high places who should know better!!
    Our children are crying out for help and their cries are falling on deaf ears!!!!!

  8. I'm a Mother
    March 5, 2016

    Celebrate WHAT? Our basic biological function as a woman is to nurture the children we bring into this world. As a nation in Dominica we have failed our children especially our girls who are sex commodities going to the highest bidder. This is a practice which is not new and cross boundaries of social class and professions. But it has gone to another level which is revolting and infuriating.
    This International Day of Women should be used to mobilize us women to voice our disgust and marshal our forces to ask questions, demand answers and call for change.
    Lend our voices to support the girls who are facing this tragedy. They started this revolution to break the bonds of sexual abuse against them by persons who they should trust. Let us take this weight from their backs to the finish line. WOMEN, we cannot celebrate while our women of tomorrow are being destroyed.
    Let us unite and save our girls NOW!

    • Donkey
      March 7, 2016

      Being a woman is about more than ‘nurturing the children we bring into the world.’ Are women who cannot give birth not women to you, then? If you say no, I truly feel sad for how indoctrinated you are into traditional gender roles.

  9. children day
    March 5, 2016

    waste of time what about your children are you also being payed to keep your mouth close too? you women should be in the frontline in demonstrating on behalf of these little girls shame on your inaction now the fire is burning where are you to fan it?

  10. March 4, 2016

    stupessss…should be renamed waste of time bureau

  11. A Vex Woman
    March 4, 2016

    Allu wicked. Why you na come to Calibishie to join hands for Rose.

    I hear allu get plenty invite. Who tie your tongue so you couldn’t come??? I not wearing no purple.

    Allu not ready yet, allu too coward.

  12. the thing
    March 4, 2016

    International women’s day why not International children day.

  13. IamanIdiot
    March 4, 2016

    I think you’ll should skip celebrating anything this year. You’ll have failed women and children

    • Peter Potter
      March 7, 2016

      Too right!!!

  14. me
    March 4, 2016

    why dont yall just call it what it is min of womens affairs cause that is all you look into women affais

  15. Sneakypoops
    March 4, 2016

    Good Initiative. Lets hope one and all participate and make this an annual event 8)

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