Good day to one and all. As the new Minister with responsibility for Gender Affairs, it gives me great pleasure to open a week of events in honour of women. From March 3rd until March 11th, it is the 5th Annual Women’s Week in Anguilla under the theme “Pressing for Progress: Women in Enterprising Endeavours.”
International Women’s Day, which is also known as the United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace, was created to acknowledge the social, political, economic and cultural struggles that women are facing globally. With Anguilla’s celebration, it is fitting for us to recognize the numerous contributions that women are making locally in building our island.
With this years’ theme focused on “Women in Enterprising Endeavours,” 18 women are featured through interviews airing right here on Radio Anguilla. Each honouree is making a positive impact on community development, supporting people with special needs, creating vibrant businesses, caring for our elderly and using art as a tool for youth empowerment.
We have so many women on Anguilla who have been an inspiration and have achieved success in their own right. We are all made stronger because of the unconditional love of a mother, wife, sister, aunt, cousin or friend. Women handle multiple responsibilities and somehow are still able to keep moving strong with grace and laughter.
During this 5th annual Women’s Week, we acknowledge the beauty of a woman, both inside and out. We are humbled by the female ancestors who sacrificed during the building of our nation and who were activists in ensuring the very best for Anguilla. Today, we applaud individuals
who continuously strive to promote the empowerment of women in all sectors of life. I’d like to especially highlight the work of Dr. Ronya Foy Connor and Gender Affairs on Anguilla for being committed to the wellbeing of every individual and in strengthening our awareness of how gender affects our daily lives.
As we commend women this week for their efforts, we also call upon the support of men. Both sexes must work together to ensure the stability of our nation. Men, we are celebrating women now in March and they will have the opportunity to return the favour for us in June, during Anguilla’s Men’s Week. Therefore let me close by saying that our Gender Affairs vision is to ensure opportunities for men and women, boys and girls, to fulfill our God-given calling and to build each other up with love and respect.
I wish you a Happy Women’s Week 2018 and International Women’s Day. Let us all continue to “Press for Progress.” Thank you.
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
