The council representing close to 50 percent of the population in Dominica is not pleased with the presentation of the national budget, saying the island’s women have been left out.
In a statement on Friday, entitled ‘Let’s keep it real,’ the Dominica National Council of Women (DNCW) sought to voice its concerns over being left without a piece of the pie.
“We have for some time asked the government to set aside some contribution in the form of a subvention which will permit the DNCW to develop the capacity of the women of Dominica, who make up approximately 47 percent of the population,” the statement said. “Women constitute a vulnerable group which carries the responsibilities of care for men, children, adolescents, youth, families, persons living with disabilities and the elderly. They often carry out this role at great sacrifice to themselves.”
The Council pointed out that it considers itself a strategic partner in the developmental process and progress of Dominica and lamented that despite making requests to the powers that be, no dialogues on the matter has ever materialized.
“We have not seen a level of dialogue and consultation between Government and DNCW so that we could locate ourselves in the development strategy, where women could play a more meaningful role in the areas identified for priority consideration, engagement of women and their participation in the budget process is one means of empowerment,” the council noted.
The statement noted that the DNCW’s definition of Financing for Development “means spending money in the country to seriously address strategies to build on the achievements of the Millennium Developmental Goals (MDG). Money should be spent for the benefit of people. People include the women of Dominica, especially those who need decent employment and a living wage.”
“It’s time to put people first and remember your commitment of ‘leave no one behind,'” the statement stated. “Let’s keep it real.”
The statement added that it is the understanding of the Council the private sector, NGOs, and civil society should take on more responsibility and make a greater contribution to the development of country and its citizenry.
“This general concept, in essence, was the principle and vision outlined in this 2015/16 Budget,” the statement said.
The budget, over $525,959,000, was presented in parliament last week by Prime Minister, Roosevel Skerrit.
I believe that certain organsations need to merge so that no one is left out because these days everyone treating the government like if theyre omniscient and omnipresent.
As a woman i am happy that the women council spoke out.
What did y’all expect. You guys need to became a greater voice in directly affecting the outcome of change. After all the abuse of women in campaign, and day to day life, the silence by government on women abuse why are u surprised. Not like you all did not know the lack of respect the Roosevelt Skeritt led administration have for women in Dominica.
What women council that? Stupes, that’s Jeffers should call a spade. When women are being ridiculed you all are never around, the only time you all speak is when workers people think they are being disrespected you all run in the public and speak, just as now this is so sad we have to play politics in everything. With all what’s in place is it not to help everyone including women? To this day when all the news was going on about all these kids being molested I am yet to see the women council speak on this. Funny though what was in the opposition budget speech tackled your cause? Wake you people do the job you were formed to do and stop playing politics.
“We have for some time asked the government to set aside some contribution in the form of a subvention which will permit the DNCW to develop the capacity of the women of Dominica, who make up approximately 47 percent of the population,” the statement said. “Women constitute a vulnerable group which carries the responsibilities of care for men, children, adolescents, youth, families, persons living with disabilities and the elderly. They often carry out this role at great sacrifice to themselves.” Well council we should start thinking cooperative stop the stretching of hands and lets work together to make our own We need to stop giving like subventions and they are not distributed equally nor fairly. lets get the women to form cooperatives.
Then write an appropriate letter to the Minister responsible for this subject in the Cabinet and copy to the Minister for Finance copy to the shadow Minister in the opposition Cabinet!
Your organization is too politically motivated. Serve the needs of the people who you claim to represent and get out of your political high horse.
Speak sisters speak – it takes courage but speak; 12 Ministers were not allowed to speak during the debate because they did not the approval from the PM to speak remember he said publicly that as PM he will decide who speaks and who does not speak so the famous 12 could not have spoken; but speak my sisters speak – my advise is keep a look out for the backlash -or the lie that may suggest that provision is made in the line Ministry to address your concerns. heheeheehaha.
I support the position of DNCW and we should all including any Government recognize the critical role that our women have played and continue to play in Dominica’s development.. I give great credit to my mother who instilled in me the ambition and courage to be the man I am today..
How do I get involved with the DNCW?
Too little too late , you were also an important voting block in dec 2014……..
Ah, and nobody bothers to comment. Perhaps the.DNCW needs to rebrand itself, market itself better to the public, because as it is now very few people know where to find the office. Women need to take ownership,of the DNCW. We may be of the opinion that we have gained some level of upward mobility, we are more or better educated so these things negate the need for the DNCW. This couldn’t be fatthest from the truth. Time to rebrand DNCW. your role in our society is much too important to be so invisible.
You see ladies when election comes around and they ake our passport money to fool you all you go for it hook line and sinker. Remember also that uncle Chavez don’t ave access to the check book anymore and the corrupt Roosevelt Skerrit will cannot go around spreading Chavez gift of longevity in office. Th gift of reaping te dependent and poor.
Love alyou PM. Take what alyou get. The country nice.
The bus drivers are crying about the increase in road taxes. The women are now crying, they were forgotten in the budget. Next week, maybe, the elderly will be crying, insufficient money was put in the budget on their behalf, and after all that crying is done, everything will be back to normal. Some of them will chant we love our Prime Minister. ‘ Some of them will hope Blessings will take up their case. Some of them will call Matt in the morning. Some of them will hope the opposition led by Hon. Lennox Linton will take to the streets. After all those things are done, Skeritt in his usual manner, will be laughing, ha, ha, ha, ha.
Alas. not long there was so much love for our women, where have all that love gone? keeping it real, our wemen needs a huge and some love. A promise is comfort to fools. Government by the people, For the people, of the people. where have all the love gone?????? Keeping it real! Smh.
Women’s council for some women, rep all women and then talk.
Two days before a Sitting of Parliament, which was convened for the budget presentation and debate, Skerritt meets with AMP members, musicians, entertainers, to inform them that he had put in $500,000.00, for them to use to improve the ‘Music Industry.’
The meeting was quickly held to make Skerritt look so kind to musicians, while he taxed the hell out of Dominicans They had no input in the budget. So another set of Dominicans have to join the ranks, climb the stairs of the Financial Centre to Skerritt for $$$$$$$$$$. His hope is that the musicians music/lyrics will be sympathetic to his Gov’t and forget about the corruption, illegalities, nepotism, favouritism. Witness the continued use of $$$$$$, tax-payers $$$$$$$$ to pacify and control the artists.
Did Skerritt meet with the representatives of any Women’s groups on Island? So half of the population, our women, are not worthy of participating in shaping the National Budget? More and more taxes. Poverty is…
Please give me a break. The churches, the gay and lesbian group , all single parents, plus the sick, the elderly and who else? Everything is to be cretized, how many women group is funded by government. I suggest you contact Thompson Fountain for the strategy of Fund raising.
Who are the women that form the executive of the council? Why were the names left out? Maybe that’s why Skerrit will keep on ignoring you all.