Today March 8th, 2012, Anguilla joins with the regional and international community in the observance of International Women’s Day under the theme “Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures.”
Each year around the world on this day, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated. Thousands of events occur not just on this day but throughout the month of March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women and reflect the global and local gender issues of the day.
I am pleased that the theme this year focuses on connecting our young women. In my mind, this speaks to greater involvement of our young females in our national economic, political and social development. Females form the central core of our family unit, and so the theme, by implication also speaks to strengthening the foundation of the family which I believe is at the heart of a functional society and which will guarantee a future that is bright and hopeful.
I want to encourage our young women in particular to embrace this day and involve themselves in activities that will educate and uplift themselves both on a personal and national level. Now is a good time to join a church or civil society group and make a valuable contribution in so many ways to improving our community.
There are many positive developments which I wish to report on today.
1. Anguilla is moving smoothly towards having the extension of CEDAW – the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women realized. CEDAW is an international human rights treaty that focuses on women’s rights and women’s issues worldwide. Executive Council had agreed in 2003 to have this convention extended to Anguilla. The FCO, through the Commonwealth Foundation, has been funding a legislative and policy audit to determine the level of compliance that Anguilla has in relation to CEDAW. That exercise is now completed and we are awaiting a final report from the Consultant. In his 2012 Budget Address to the House of Assembly, the Chief Minister noted that the main focus for Gender in 2012 would be the extension of CEDAW to Anguilla and stressed that the establishment of a Gender Affairs Unit would be vigorously explored.
2. Executive Council has now given its formal approval to the establishment of a Gender Affairs Unit. This Unit, once established, sometime later this year will articulate the policies and programme for Gender in Anguilla, and will form the key reporting mechanism under CEDAW. The Unit is expected to be headed by a Gender Development Coordinator.
3. I wish to commend the Gender Working Group which comprises representatives from the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Ministry of Social Development, the Governor’s Office and my Ministry for the hard work they have put into these initiatives earlier addressed. In particular the Group has been instrumental in sourcing external funding for conducting a number of training workshops in 2011 and again later this year.
4. Efforts continue towards once again having a coordinating mechanism in the NGO sector. In this regard, I want to thank the Executive and members of the National Council of Women for their sterling efforts over the years and I pledge the support of the Ministry in their efforts to rebuild the Council.
In closing, I would like to take this opportunity as Minister with responsibility for Gender Affairs to wish all our women and girls across the length and breadth of Anguilla and further afield an inspired Women’s Day. Get Connected and inspire your future and the futures of generations to come.
Thank You.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
