With 365 days per year and sometimes and extra one when there is a leap year, the worldwide accomplishments of women can be celebrated! Gone are the days when women were placed on the backburner of societal norms and expectations.
Women should automatically be celebrated and applauded for the numerous contributions to society, households, cooperate community, nation building, and list could go on and on. But of course, the annals of history can take us back to many chapters when this was not the case.
At present though, the records of history keeps in the making of documenting stories of the many strides of women. Each year on 8th march, globally the day is observed as International Women’s Day! The occasion is ideally meant to celebrate the achievements of women-social, political, cultural and economic.“DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” has been chosen as this year’s theme, and in every society around the globe, many of us can point out the accomplishments women have made in the digital world.
Here in St. Kitts and Nevis is no exception. Female heads of telecommunication corporations are prime example and we also have specialists in the Information Technology field. There are female engineers, construction workers, bus drivers, athletesyou name it. ‘Anything you can do, I can do better’ captures the mood of many women feel when they make space and create space for themselves and other womenwhether in the areas of sports, the arts, science, technology and yet again the list can go on and on.
It can be said numerous times that gone are the days of when being a homemaker and housewife is no longer the expected label. But of course many women, too, excel at balancing their professional and family life which complements the popular accolade which uplifts and marvels at the strength of a woman.
Women are empowered and the accomplishments keep on coming. Ceilings are being shattered Speaking of which, this week the Federation’s first female Governor General Dame Marcella Liburd was the first time recipient of a new category ‘Ceiling Shatterer’ during the annual Department of Gender Affairs International Women’s Day Award ceremony.
Minister of State responsible for Social Development and Gender Affairs Isalean Phillip read Dame Marcella’s biography; prior to which she shared with the audience that it was a pleasure to do so since “for me personally, I’ve always been a fan girl…” The young government minister recalled growing up, she would have observed Dame Marcella in areas politics, party development and advocacy”and she always [was] the sole woman; always was the only woman so it’s always been a pleasure to see her and the contributions she’s given to community development and political life as well as the humility that she has always displayed…” No doubt that the fan girl was inspired, and now look at her today in the political field likewise with such empowerment drive. Moving on, the Gender Affairs Minister in her own mindfulness is encouraging a supportive sisterhood system is calling on women to support each other.
In an address for IWD, she referred in part that empowerment calls for us as women to look beyond the trivial differences between ourselves and to see that we have more in common than we tend to admit. She said also that such compels us to practice tolerance and mindfulness to be kinder to each other.
Encouraging words. Sound advice. Ladies be encouraged. In the celebration of women, we must always remember to celebrate and support ourselves. Fan girl energy is empowerment and role model energy for the betterment of us all!
