The Anguilla National Council of Women has paid tribute to a number of women from various organisations in the community.
The women were on Radio Anguilla’s Programme – The Zone – on Friday, March 8, to mark International Women’s Day.
Those to whom tribute was paid were Mrs. Gillian Sheehy from St. Vincent de Paul of the Catholic Church; Mrs. Florence Harrigan of the Anglican Church Women’s Association; Ms. Vera Richardson of St. Mary’s Mothers’ Union; Mrs. Civilla Kentish of the Anguilla Lions’ Club and Mrs. Olive Hodge of the Anguilla Soroptimist Club.
During the programme, Mrs Sheehy called on women not to be silent on the issue of domestic violence. “I really encourage women to come out of this darkness, and to try their best not to be isolated by those who would want to control you,” she urged the women. “It saddens me so much to talk about domestic violence because the pain is real and deep. All of you who are abused must come forward and have the courage and strength to do so. There are wonderful women who you can turn to and, most of all, trust in your God.”
Dr. O. M. Linda Banks, who was also a guest on the radio programme, used the opportunity to call on women to end violence against women.
International Women’s Day was observed under the theme, “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women.”
