Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Dr. Fraser- Point of View
March 15, 2019

Some thoughts on March 8

What seemed to have overshadowed those messages was the push for bragging rights by some enterprises, highlighting the number of women in top leadership positions. Women’s issues should be highlighted beyond March, but are not. At least in March, the country’s focus is on National Heroes’ Day and Heritage.

While we must complement those companies that were blowing their own horns there are  issues that should be part of our national conversation. Some of them were highlighted; among them being domestic violence, statutory rape and how these are addressed in Court, the need to review the Domestic Violence Act of 2015 and the matter of gender equality.

 There are broader issues, too, that have to be addressed. The fact that women are increasingly being placed in leadership positions in many enterprises does not surprise me. I have always been embarrassed by the marked absence of male graduates at Recognition of Graduates ceremonies at the UWI Open Campus where females comprise 85 percent of the student body. At the UWI overall, women outnumber men by 68.6 to 31 percent. It is true that women are still underrepresented in Engineering, Science and Technology, but this trend is being reversed. I note that in Science and Technology, women at Cave Hill now make up 49 percent of that group. Based on qualifications alone, women are certainly equipped to fill top positions. This is certainly not an alarm but points to broader concerns. We have to ask, where have the males gone? Let us remember that the concept of gender suggests that women’s issues should not be seen in isolation.

 Despite the prominence of women in top positions in many enterprises men still hold power and gender imbalance remains an issue. Not only do men hold power but they feel that they have a right to do so. I was shocked, recently, to have heard a minister of the Gospel using the Bible to rationalise what he considered the absolute right of men to dominance of the home. The traditional position of men as heads of households is being challenged and is leading to serious conflicts. It is not the bible, despite what some say, that has given men that control, but the fact that traditionally they were the breadwinners. We are however in changing times and women are becoming increasingly financially independent of men, their spouses, or partners. They sometimes control the purse strings in the household.

 I have no doubt that this leads to divorces and physical abuses, for the financial independence of women impacts psychologically on those men still holding on to that macho image and what it conjures to them. Issues of rape and physical and sexual abuse are major concerns. Part of it has to do with male assertion of power over women. In their minds there is no better way of assuring themselves of power than targeting minors, in a situation where women have become more confident and self-assured.   
    
 There are areas that have to be addressed. One of them is that of women in politics. It is not that women should find a place simply by the fact that they are women, but political parties have to begin serious work in allowing them the opportunity of rising to top positions. The other issue that calls for concerns is the high dropout rate of male students in post-primary education. This should be an alarm bell ringing in the ears of education authorities and needs to be addressed urgently. Issues affecting women and by extension the society demand attention beyond March 8.

Women are, indeed, the bedrock of the society.

Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian
 

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Front Page
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    FAMILY MEMBERS of a woman who was killed at Long Wall say they suspect their relative was hacked by a person they all know very well. On Tuesday, Sept...
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Front Page
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE IDEA THAT HOUSING is a right, that every Vincentian has a right to safe and secure housing, and that the government has a role to play in ensuring...
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Front Page
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A POLICE OFFICER, who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend 26 times about her body was remanded even as his lawyer argued that the Royal St Vincent and...
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Front Page
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A NEW UNITY LABOUR PARTY ADMINISTRATION will be rolling out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to embrace its positives and guard against the nega...
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Front Page
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 9,2025 was a memorable day for the staff and students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, which was marking its 20th anniversary wi...
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    News
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    NON- NATIONALS ARE being hired to fill several jobs in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) simply because locals did not have the required skill sets....
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    News
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Montgomery Daniel has sought to clear around rumours that have been circulating relating to his health. Speaking on NBC radio on...
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    News
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    The GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to sign agreements for tourism investment of $1.3 billion on mainland St.Vincent. On Monday, Se...
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    From the Courts, News
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A BARROUALLIE MAN will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to being in illegal possession of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition. Demron...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok