The Australian writer G. D Anderson wrote famously: ‘Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength’.
International Women’s Day 2021 – Choose to Challenge – recognises that a challenged world is an alert world and that individually we are all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day.
The past year has certainly created a challenged world. The pandemic has not left any stone unturned in respect of its impact. Women have been an intrinsic part of keeping the island safe and sustained – both as decision-makers across a number of sectors, and as frontline workers especially within healthcare, the police, immigration, customs, repatriations, schools, shops and tourism. For many women, they have done this whilst also bearing the increased mental load of responsibilities within the home.
It is fitting that the women honoured, as part of Anguilla’s International Women’s Day celebrations, include those women who have made significant sacrifices over the past year in furtherance of our safety and security against the threat that Covid-19 has presented. To all these women we owe a sincere debt of gratitude.
As women, in being responsible for our own thoughts and actions each day, it is important to remember the elders, our predecessors, whose bravery, vision and values have provided a firm foundation from which we have been able to grow and prosper.
For many of our matriarchs, they did not have the choice to challenge. It was simply a matter of survival. It truly is a reflection of their strength and determination that, as women here today, we reflect an impressive body of people, able to be actively involved in shaping and furthering the interests of Anguilla’s communities, governance, industry, and politics.
One of the keys to the success of such representation by women, across all sectors, is active involvement.
To our next generation, I encourage you to always participate, to be a visible presence – and to not hesitate in taking advantage of the opportunities that present themselves to you. In those moments where you feel a little lost, without options or are unsure of how to access opportunities – seek the advice and mentorship of the women that have gone before you. We will provide a safe space to support you when you are feeling most vulnerable, and be your champions when you are shining brightly. Your path to success will not always be straightforward. It will require hard work, and you will face hurdles, but overcoming these challenges will increase your personal resilience and empower your future success.
As we celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women today – it is important we remain alert and continue to champion gender parity in our everyday lives, so that the limitless dreams of each young girl continue as they become women, in a world that does not limit their choices based on fear, gender stereotypes or bias.
