Dominica National Council of Women (DNCW) wishes all women in Dominica and by extension, the International community, a very pleasant International Women’s Day which is celebrated on March 8th 2015 (today).
“Together we strive; Together We Achieve” forms the basis for the implementation of programmes we do at DNCW.
In the book of numbers CHAPTER 13-25 and NUMBERS CHAPTER 14 speaks to what the children of Israel had to do to get out of Egypt together.
The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Make it Happen, Promote Gender Empowerment Celebrating Success of Women”
Every year, the DNCW hosts a ceremony to recognize and appreciate single mothers who make things happen for their families.
Ten female rural farmers on the island are presently engaged in the production of onions and sorrel through a project called “Empowerment of Agricultural Women’s Movement.” The project was established by the DNCW and was funded by the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), with additional assistance from United Nations (UN) Women.
The question is how do we make the celebration of success of women happen? Should it happen and why should we make the success happen?
As we reflect on our parents, the domestic workers, women farmers and how they made it happen have we thought of celebrating their success?
We must reaffirm the links between the human rights of women and girls and Dominica’s development. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the consequences of under-development. None of the three pillars of sustainable development – economic, social or environmental – can be achieved without the full participation of women and girls and without all of their human rights being fulfilled. When 35% of women have experienced either physical or sexual violence (either from their partner or from others) or when 1 in 6 girls are abused before age 18, there is a clear failure and a serious denial of human rights.
The above statistics show a national failure. Significantly more effort is needed to achieve the goals of fully realizing gender equality, human rights and empowerment of all women and girls everywhere.
Can we engage in conversation as to the progress? To date just a handful of Caribbean Women NGOs struggle to keep the Human Right Agenda going.
This year’s theme ‘Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture It’s ’highlights the historic roadmap of the ‘Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.’ Signed 20 years ago by 189 governments and 4000 civil society organizations this platform set the agenda for realizing women’s rights. International Women’s Day is when women’s achievements, challenges and rights are celebrated to inspire others and mobilize all to do their part.
‘Make it happen! Promote gender empowerment celebrating success of women’ is our focus here in Dominica.
Twenty years ago advocates like Ms. Josephine Dublin-Prince, Ms. Neva Edwards (DNCW) and Mrs. Gertrude Roberts, the then Minister of Community Development, attended the Beijing Platform for Women. Upon their return we implemented life-changing ideas of working with women and their families, including a halfway shelter, a safe place for abused women.
According to the UN Executive Director, 20 years later not a single country of the 189 achieved all the Goals. We are aware of some progress made in Dominica. For example, the Bureau of Gender Affairs has taken the lead in putting together a national Gender Policy, maternal morbidity has decreased, women in managerial positions increased, as well as the number of women in our Parliament. But there is much more to be done.
Many Dominican women, at home and abroad, work tirelessly to create empowering environments and promote gender equality in both the forefront and from behind the scenes.
DNCW is proud to also congratulate the seven (7) women in the Commonwealth of Dominica Parliament. We also congratulate Ms. Syvanie Burton, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Social Services, Family and Gender Affairs, the first Kalinago woman appointed Permanent Secretary.
Today 7 of the 31 Parliament members are female. This constitutes 22.6% of Dominica’s total representation of women in Parliament. DNCW looks forward to the day when that increases to 33%, more closely representing the actual percentage required by the Millennium Development Goal’s MDG’s or Sustainable Development Goal’s SDG’s. Currently women comprise 51% of the Dominican population.
Women and men are also among the countless parents, domestic workers, farmers, etc. who make gender equality a reality in Dominica. We applaud them and the courage that they portray on a daily basis to feed, clothe and shelter our growing population. These persons nurture and teach our younger generation the importance of gender balance and equality in everyday situations, which conditions our children to be more respectful and tolerant and to educate themselves for a better future.
Once again, DNCW wishes all women a productive International Women’s Day. Remember to continue empowering our women and Make Gender Equality Happen by standing up for your rights!
An International Woman’s Day is a sign of progress and should be appreciated by both men and women
Some counties can remember a time when women were not permitted to vote.
Thank God organizations like DNCW pushed ahead exposing the lack of intelligence and unfairness in such laws to bring us to the place where we are now.
There is a need for woman’s organizations and much for them to do. None of us want to see our sisters, girlfriends, wives, daughters treated as second class citizens.
More needs to be done in my own country to bring in equal wages. Some jobs are still considered the domain of men. We pay lip service to equal opportunity in the cooperate world and public service but the glass ceiling is still obvious.
The attitude of some judges in the courts is still a problem in places.
Some lyrics are offensive to women. Some movies encourage sexual crimes.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
“Make it Happen” – severely punish child molesters and rapists!!
Corruption breeds abuses of all kinds. Neglect of the Agricultural sector, in particular has impoverished the rural folks especially women and their families.
The ‘Red Clinic” is a classic example of the contempt with which our women are being treated. Instead of creating opportunities for our people to be engaged in productive, meaningful work, , it’s up the stairs, Financial Centre, hands out, fix up. Self esteem gone.
Most importantly, women advocated, struggled, protested for decades, even died for the Right to vote and to recognize the Rights of women against all kinds oppression as they strive for a better life.
Today, women and men in Dominica are still struggling for FREE and FAIR elections.. Corruption is a plague, eating away the potentials,, aspirations, and creativity of our people.
Without Free and Fair elections, with trickery and corruption being so rampant, some making all the money, passport selling to any, ,the standard of women and men…
A Happy International Women’s Day to resident Dominicans and those overseas. This also includes all women worldwide and those who especially promote the cause of women and their dignity. The day is gone but view it as Int’l Women’s Day all year round just as some of us say every day is Christmas Day
to care, show our love, respect and offering a helping hand in whatever manner possible to one another as each one deserves,
God bless all in their endeavors as you strive to make the world a better place for not only women but men alike. The world could not function and continue without “both genders”, one man and one woman as God ordained it to be from the beginning of time to the end of time. Keep up the good work.
May God continue to give you the courage, health, strength, determination and perseverance to carry on “the good work which He has begun in you.” Have a happy and fulfilling year!
I considered that as the years progressed, situations would change. It was impossible for it to have remained as it was and for good reasons.
Women are people too. Given the opportunity, they are quite capable of assuming certain duties which men can do. Through the years this has been proven. There is no keeping them back if they are ambitious.
However, much more have to be done. It rests on women. Today, more avenues are opened to them. Those who are not aware of it must be educated accordingly.
On the matter of abuse, women must think and act wisely in also their personal relationships, to hopefully avoid being abused. They must be proud of themselves and that they are a woman but to conduct themselves appropriately, becoming of a woman and also a Christian.
I realize there are some things beyond people’s control. They should always be on the alert. If they sense a certain danger, steer clear of it and remove themselves from the situation and seek help.
What are you talking about doubting Thomas? Provide the proof of the opposition candidate calling women prostitutes. You people just have selective hearing it seems but carry on with this nonessential behavior and see where dominica will be headed.
My contribution to the female cause is the introduction of the book, ‘WHEN GOD WAS A WOMAN’ by Merlin Stone (the landmark exploration of the ancient worship of the great goddess and the eventual suppression of women’s rites by Judeo-Christian myth and corresponding social order).
Sorry to disappoint you but God was never a woman.
The concept of a “goddess” came out of heathen religions.
The Bible (the Word of God) portrays God in the male gender or as the Father (St. Luke 11:2) because this is how He relates to us although God is a Spirit (St. John 4:24) and as such is without gender. The personality of God contains both male and female or father and mother qualities. When God created Adam and Eve He made them male and female. At that time the qualities were divided for the purpose of human reproduction and family life.
One man and one woman together with male and female or father and mother qualities represent God.
Together they are the image and likeness of God in which they were created. The Judeo-Christian scriptures revealed the truth and suppressed nothing. Heathendom even with its goddesses has produced nothing to make life better for women or enrich families.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill, D.D. International Evangelist.
L’annee de la femme, Akiaka.
Women are women worse enemies. I was in taxi cab recently and the driver listening to the news objected to a statement being made by a man in respect to the case of a man who raped a women and was blaming the woman for the rape. He said men of a certain race do not respect women. He resembled the race he was speaking about. He said what the interviewee was saying he knew it was untrue. The man was saying the men respected the women in his country. He said it was a lie. He said the company he works with when the despatcher is a woman these men gives her a hard time when they have a man despatcher they are completely different.
I recall when the DNCW was ever so silent in the last election campaign when a candidate for the opposition UWP called women prostitutes and even spelt the word. DNCW could have stood up for women. There were men who objected but not the DNCW. Yes, Parliament now has 7 women (all but one) is due to PM Skerrit and the DLP. Well done DLP.
Your critique is very jumbled my friend.what are you trying yo say.
I also read on a Toronto Website that some men say most women are at fault; blaming the women as usual when they are to be blamed.
I heard a saying, “The problem with women is the problem with men.” Those men can keep blaming the women. When women find themselves in a certain situation, they may not be able to get away from it. They will be fortunate if they come out of it uninjured and alive.
Recently a movie was shown, “Shades of Gray.” It was not long afterwards a student and what I heard, an intelligent one, invited a woman to his apartment and commenced attacking her, just as he saw in the movie.
This was not her fault. The only mistake she made was to agree to go to his apartment. She managed to escape and called the police. Lucky for her she escaped.
He had perverted ideas which she was not aware of. Those who know him said he is a really nice guy.
He was arrested. He blamed the movie for it. It was stated that he stands to get 30 years or life in…
Unfortunately, men who are attracted to a movies like Shades of Gray are often morally weak
individuals who will be influenced by it. The student in this comment is typical of such.
I have heard of others. What has stuck with me is the fact that these offences are sometimes the serial type of crime.
This is because the movie appeals to the fallen depraved nature within them. They want to watch something that will inflame their lust so they can receive maximum pleasure from acting it out. If it works once and gives them the release they seek they will do it again.
Woman’s organizations that want to see a decrease in crimes against women would do well to monitor movies like this that are coming into the country. Encourage theater owners to show nature films, or films of historical interest or pictures of social value instead. By appealing to the government authorities they may be able to stop these lewd films at customs.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International…
What are you talking about doubting Thomas? Provide the proof of the opposition candidate calling women prostitutes. You people just have selective hearing it seems but carry on with this nonessential behavior and see where dominica will be headed.