On this 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, it is important to recognize that women globally have made significant gains.
Despite the progress, vast inequalities persist. The potential of women to contribute to economic growth and prosperity, social progress, peace, and good governance is still untapped in too many places. Gender-based violence not only destroys the lives of individual girls and women, families, and communities, but also robs the world of the talent it urgently needs.
As the world marks International Women’s Day, Secretary Hillary Clinton will participate in a celebration in Washington, D.C. with First Lady Michelle Obama to announce the International Women of Courage Awards to 10 honorees from around the globe. The recipients represent the women who work in their countries against corruption and injustice, and who fight for human rights, good governance and economic opportunity. They are agents of change. Overcoming poverty, discrimination, and violence, the honorees not only champion the rights of women and girls, but also serve as an inspiration to us all.
For 2011, the Eastern Caribbean boasted one nominee for this prestigious award, Ms. Sheila Roseau, Executive Director of Antigua’s Gender Affairs Directorate. Ms. Roseau will be honored locally by the U.S. Embassy for her work to protect women from violence. She has been a leading advocate for Antigua’s Domestic Violence Prevention Act, established a sexual assault referral center, and lead the charge for legislation to fight trafficking in persons.
If we are to build a more peaceful, prosperous, and just world, we cannot leave half the population behind. We cannot successfully tackle the challenges that confront us in relation to the environment, security, economics, development, and more, if women are not engaged at every level of society.
The U.S. is committed to the empowerment of women not just because it is the right thing to do, but also because it is the smart thing to do. When women make progress, countries make progress. A mountain of research shows that investments in women correlate positively with alleviating poverty and increasing prosperity. The education of a girl is the most effective development investment that can be made with enormous positive consequences for her future and her family’s future.
The U.S. Agency for International Development’s youth workforce development projects now operate in five of the OECS nations plus Barbados. Young women make up the majority of participants in these projects that offer vocational training, internships, and eventual job placement. The latest project focuses on developing entrepreneurial opportunities for young women and men.
Circumscribing women’s participation and leaving their potential untapped, shortchanges women and shortchanges our world. We vitally need women’s talents, experiences, and leadership. Today we celebrate the contributions of women. Everywhere they are making a difference. Many do so with great courage and often at great personal risk. They are changing the world for the better.
Today, we salute all Women of Courage.
while the essence of celebrating International womens Day was overshadowed by the carnival celebrations, women world wide celebrated their achievements. Many Dominican women have excelled and are in top positions, many more are struggling to survive. We have come a long way but there needs to be a level playing field so that women will not have to break the glass ceiling to get the recognition they deserve. Our you women must assert themselves and move on to claim their fame .
While I say hats of to Tasha P for being the first female to win the monachy its a while now women are breaking into male dominated roles. Dominican women keep on moving on and the gains that we have made should not be undermined.I am encouraging our young women to join a group and get involve intheir own development.
It is not surprising that responses to such an educational article by DNO is so scant. That goes to show what our people are interested in. Our people engage in trivial matters and derogatory opinions. Not even 10 women could comment and give praise for that historic 100th. Anniversary of International Women’s Day. Women are no longer interested in our Dominican space in struggles to liberate themselves from poverty, inequality, injustice and abuses. Women Time !!!! But really Who cares? Life is no longer about struggle? Life sweet, no problems? The Trend is frightening. Extremely disappointing to say the least that our women refuse to give an opinion on that important global activity. Shame !!! A real Shame !!!
On reading that interesting and insightful article by DNO, it just crossed my mind. Well it is too late now, Carnival gone already. The DNCW in collaboration with the Bureau of Gender Affairs and Women’s groups all over Dominica could have organised, for example, a massive Carnival Band to bring forth the issues of women on that 100th. Anniversary of International Day of Women. The band could have been a T-shirt Band or simple, cheap enough outfits. People could be enjoying themselves while at the same time doing their advocacy. Placards, banners could easily be done to portrait and educate on issues of child and Women abuse, Human Rights, corruption, injustice, economic opportunities, family values, love, respect, etc., etc., etc.
The impact of such an event during this year’s Carnival Parade would be massive. Imagine the thousands of people in Roseau and Dominica in general, plus those in the diaspora tuned in and watching such an Exposition/Theatrical spectacle on Carnival day for International Women’s Day. Appropriate calypsos like that of Tasha P and others could be the theme songs and played consistently through out the Women’s parade.
Carnival must be a time not only for jump and wave or sewo and skimpy half-naked dressing, but could be used to more effectively express concerns affecting people’s lives. Isn’t Carnival also a major Cultural event which people could use to educate and showcase the issues in our society in a creative way?
Frankly, We must be more FORWARD-THINKING and CREATIVE in our approaches in dealing with issues that affect people’s lives. The timing and how we do things to bring awareness about issues could help greatly in getting the necessary help to find solutions so as to effect changes to problems we face as men and women alike. A good opportunity was lost for 2011 Carnival, just pass, for commemorating that important 100th. Anniversary of International Women’s Day.
Woman Time!
Tasha gave DA women more reasons to celebrate international womens day
Congratulations to all women on this 100 th. Anniversary of International Women’s Day. 10 women would be honored from around the World. Dominican Women must take note of the fact that the recipients represent the women who work in their countries against CORRUPTION and INJUSTICE, and who fight for human rights, good governance and economic opportunity. Injustice comes in all sorts of FORMS. Those women are agents of change.
In Dominica, our women of all walks of life must step up, take courage and fear no more. Our Women must condemn at all times the corruption and illegal acts, the ABUSES, that are constantly being committed, especially by those in Public Office. Too many times our women allow themselves to be manipulated and deceived by their male counterparts. The materialistic environment, giving trinkets, handouts, money, have caused dependence of a few in society. Women are being abused and also allow themselves to be abused for those things too often. Like the calyposonian, SUGAR S, sang,’ HOLD your money, I’ll keep my Dignity.’
Why should our women fail to speak against corruption, injustice, Bad Governance, lying, cheating by those in Power? Why should our women fail to advocate for equality and economic opportunities for all. Why should our Women not condemn any Leader or politician of a country who gets into parliament illegally, or chastise politicians and others in public and Private Office who acquire wealth quickly through dubious means? How comes our Women are not more VOCAL for ELECTORAL REFORMS? Women had to struggle for decades for the Right just to vote. Our Women MUST NEVER FORGET THAT FACT.
Women must be Fearless and not support those, because they have influence and money or riches, to fool them no more and cause them to forget their role in standing up for justice and human Rights. Where have those good MORALS GONE? Women and men alike must condemn and act against corruption, dictatorship and illicit acquisition of wealth. Those ills and Bad political decisions have and will continue to marginalise Women as well as men and create much more hardship, discrimination and poverty.
Women should realize that they have the POWER so to do and to make Dominica a place where corruption, inequality and condoning of illegal acts become a thing of the past.
This feminist movement in Europe occured since in the 1950’s. The people of Dominica must not definite rights for women based on European criteria. This ‘feminist’ movement has caused a significant break down in the family structure. I urge our people to refer to http://www.africankingdoms.com
It is a very informative site.