Although women of Dominica are said to have been experiencing progress over the years “much is not right,” according to President of the Dominica National Council of Women (DNCW), Vanya David.
She was addressing the celebration of African Liberation Day held in Portsmouth on Monday.
“The number of women now serving as Ministers in the Cabinet of Dominica is greater than at any other period,” David said. “We celebrate that fact today, and the journey of Dominican women’s leadership. Census data also shows that women are increasing their accomplishments in education and in professions. We celebrate this empowerment of our women.”
However, she stated, that while official data show women are progressing, unfortunately many things are not right.
“Violence Against Women is 89 percent of 37 reported cases in 2013-2014,” she stated. “More women suffer from diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease at an earlier age, more women are unemployed, more women are in the lowest paid jobs, women still make up less than 30 percent of our Parliament and the girl child is still very much at risk in our progressive society.”
David stated further that world leaders need to accept that poverty is created and can be eradicated when the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal is launched this year.
“The Sustainable Development Goals will be launched in September 2015 to replace the Millennium Development Goals. World leaders needs accept that poverty is created and can therefore be eradicated,” she stated. “The poor woman raising children does not have to be always with us…”
Additionally David noted that the economic insecurity of a vast number of women, together with violence against women, “is a core aspect that must be addressed to achieve the post 2015 development agenda. Dominica must mature into a just society where no one is left behind; either girl, nor boy, men or woman.”
African Liberation Day is being observed during the UN Decade for People of African Descent (2015 – 2024) which overlaps with the Africa Union (AU) Decade for African Women (2010 -2020).
This is good talk but if the gov’t is not putting any law in place to protect women and more young girls this abuse will always continue…nonetheless many women lack self esteem ,i personally have heard women say if a man is not bitting you ,he does not love you,,,some of them thinks it is right for a man to live with them and breed all about the place and come home when ever they want ,,,and still accept the out side child to come to there home in the name of love,many women in dominica are the ones taking care of the children while they feed a man in the name of love,,this is not acceptable at all..any man who loves his family will get off his backside and get a job to take care of his family…as for young school girls that are getting pregnant it is not only the men to blame ,the girls are also responsible…if there is no rape before pregnancy…nonetheless the law should see to it that if a school boy is responsible he should stop going to school also in order to deter them.
The UN’s Sustainable program is exactly the opposite of what they are telling you. Don’t buy into it. It is increased taxation and dependency and control by the elite.
Why don’t we talk about the good things; more women have degrees, more teachers, nurses,lawyers, office workers,managers,higher paying jobs,permanent secretaries,etc. I think women run things in Dominica.
I salute you mommy
I sympathize but to be objective it is now time that women look at themselves and look within . sometimes when this is done you can get the answers into focus.
[“More women suffer from diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease at an earlier age………]
Ummm, hellooooooooo Madam, how about telling these women to make it their responsibility to engage in healthy lifestyle choices so as to reduce the risk of developing some of these ailments.
I look around and see quite a large number of young women looking fat like hippopotamuses and flaunting obesity like it is a style.
….smh…………….
It starts in the home, community, and culture. World leaders can do and say what they want, if we do not change the cultural beliefs and practices from young we will stay in same place. Fathers need to empower their daughters. We see the deteoration of our society as men fail to take up their roles. Politics and leaders continue to fail humanity. We need to start making those changes and stop waiting on people who have their own agenda and priority. With numbers there is strength, with numbers the choir will be heard. The abuse of our young women should be a call to collective action by all women in Dominica. See how many women graduating every year compared to men in Dominica. It is a shame. Silence is consent. Shaka Zulu is ready to join the fight. I love my mom and she is the reason I am who I am today.