Dominica National Council of Women International Women’s Day 2023 message

The Dominica National Council of Women (DNCW) is most enthusiastic about this year’s theme for International Women’s Day celebrated globally on March 8th each year. Today, we join the rest of the world yet again, in recognizing the significant contributions and achievements of women in Dominica.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “DigitAll: Innovation and technology for gender equality.” This theme highlights the critical role that technology and innovation play in achieving and promoting gender equality.

As we celebrate the progress made in advancing women’s human rights, we must remember that innovation and technology contribute greatly, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of digital connectivity and innovation. Technology has the potential to transform the lives of women and girls by providing them with access to education, healthcare, and job opportunities. However, we must also recognize the challenges that come with these advancements. The digital divide continues to exist, with women and girls facing greater barriers to access and use technology for their well-being.

At the Dominica National Council of Women, our main focus is achieving equality for ALL women and girls not only in Dominica but regionally and internationally by extension. However, it’s important to distinguish between equality and equity, as they are both essential in achieving women’s rights. While equality means treating everyone the same, equity is about ensuring that everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources they need to succeed, regardless of their circumstances; equity is about treating everyone fairly. Equity and equality are like the two hands that must work together to achieve any goal. Fairness of treatment pushes us to create equal opportunity for everyone to flourish.

In the context of women’s rights, equity is crucial, since women and girls face unique challenges and barriers, such as discrimination, violence, and unequal access to resources. For example, equity or fair treatment, motivates us to ensure that women in rural areas have as much internet connectivity as women in urban areas or those who work in the corporate or public sector. Equity, or fair treatment, propels us to prioritize women with disabilities and ensure that they have access to technological devices that are tailored to their specific needs and allow them to function in a digital or virtual space. Fair treatment means that women who are balancing caregiving and earning an income have access to telehealth and financial services that enable them to be available to those in their care while managing their own lives. These safeguards begin with technological education for girls at all stages of their development.

We must continue to strive to address these issues by providing women and girls with the necessary tools and resources needed to succeed. Therefore, achieving equity is necessary to level the playing field and ensure that women and girls, men and boys have similar opportunities. We must also recognize the importance of how many aspects of women’s lives intersect as we promote gender equity.

Women and girls from different backgrounds face different challenges, and we must take into account their unique experiences and perspectives.

As we reflect on the progress made towards achieving gender equality, we must also acknowledge that there is still much work to be done. Women continue to face significant barriers, including the gender wage gap, under-representation in leadership positions, and limited access to resources and opportunities, even in the digital era.

Innovation and technology have the potential to break down these barriers and create new opportunities for women and girls. By leveraging technology, we can empower women in new ways, including expanding access to education, increasing economic opportunities, and promoting gender equality in the workplace. Also, by promoting diversity and inclusion, we can ensure that all women and girls are included in the fight for gender equity.

Let us all continue to work towards achieving gender equality and promoting equity for all women and girls. We should also be proud to celebrate the progress made in advancing women’s rights in Dominica while also recognizing and acknowledging the work that still needs to be done. By embracing innovation and technology for women and girls we can create a more inclusive and equitable society for everyone.

Happy International Women’s Day!