The National Council of Women of St. Vincent and the Grenadines – International Women’s Day Message 2013

Fri Mar 08, 2013

Theme: ‘Women in Action for the Development of Our Nation”

The National Council of Women of St Vincent and the Grenadines salutes all women in St Vincent and the Grenadines and around the world. Let us continue to seek the advancement of women and gender equality as per the Beijing Conference of 1995.{{more}}

On this widely celebrated International Women’s Day, we adopt the words of David in Psalms 139:14 “I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Wonderful are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well”.

We applaud women for their tenacity, strength, determination to succeed and survive the many challenges they face each day: the trafficking of women and children, violence against women and children in the home, incest and rape, single teenage mothers, exposure to and the scourge of HIV/Aids and other STDs, stigmatization in the work place, unemployment and vulnerability.

The statement of the First National Congress of Women held in St Vincent and the Grenadines, is calling on the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines to address the concerns of

•  Gender Equity – Inculcate gender equity and equality in all citizens from childhood to adulthood. Through gender sensitive school curricula, adopt the “No child should be left behind” policy.

• Economic Development, Trade and Finance – Ensure that all citizens have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary need for a healthy and active life style.

• Peace and security – Facilitate public education and provide training on domestic violence intervention/prevention methods and on conflict resolution.

• Political participation – strive for the development of a political culture that would allow women in politics to work across party lines to develop issues wherein they find common grounds.

• Health – Promote healthy life styles that will support a decline in sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS.

• Education – Ensure that all sectors of the population are aware of and have access to all available educational avenues.

• General Provisions – Recognize the role of the church and faith based organizations in promoting gender equity, human rights, peace and security.

We have come this far by faith; women are standing up, standing out and making a difference. Teenage mothers are returning to the classrooms and excelling academically; through commitment and true dedication, women are at the forefront of decision and policy making. We are “Women in Action for the Development of our Nation”.

This year, we celebrate International Women’s Day with the theme “Women in Action for the Development of Our Nation”. As we recognize the woman, let us bind ourselves together to eradicate the ills and then, let us rededicate our commitment to the development of our families, societies and the world. Women, the Pillars of Our Society.