By: Batumba Tak
General Secretary
The St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union

International Women’s Day (8th March, 2018)
In the words of Maragaret Thatcher, “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.”
It has been said that a woman with a voice is by definition a very strong woman. Yet, the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult. I know that to be true because my late grandmother was a very strong willed person and she never allowed anybody to make her feel inferior with or without her permission.
On March 8th 2018 people around the world observed International Women’s Day. It was definitely a day to commemorate the struggle for women’s rights and to celebrate the political, social, economic and cultural achievements of women throughout its history.
For example, Let us look at a few litany of female firsts: The first Turkish woman to compete in the Olympics; the world’s first computer programmer; Korea’s first female judge; Egypt’s first female pilot, the first woman in space, and there are also many more as well.
In addition, to the very best of my knowledge for the first time since the International Women’s Day has been celebrated, it is the first time that the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union held its first Annual Union Awards Luncheon at the Ocean Terrace Inn, recognizing Nurses in St. Kitts and Nevis and Union in Manufacturing under the Theme: “Celebrating The Strength Of The Woman In You.”
However, from the very inception of the Labour Movement, women have always played a very important role in the full development of the Labour Movement and that continue up to today.
Thus, we also echo the words of Maya Angelou, “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”
As a matter of fact, International Women’s Day saw thousands of conferences, gatherings, rallies, exhibitions, festivals that have increased each year.
But although International Women’s Day was only adopted by the United Nations (UN’s) in 1975, it is common knowledge that it was marked for the very first time in New York, USA, in the early 1900’s.
The Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) through its President, Sister Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson has said that the CCL Theme for this years (2018) 107th Anniversary of International Women’s Day is, “Press For Progress” (last adopted from theinternational subject) because “it is very relevant as we reflect on where we are today as women, and to determine if we truly have gender equality and if we have truly advanced.”
She continued by saying that this movement for change will afford the opportunity for us collectively to combat gender-based violence and sexual violence, particularly as it is linked to the CCL Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 to end all forms of violence against girls and women.
In addition, she said that other benefit for girls and women has increased political participation, quality education, well-being and good health. However, the World-Wide community is on an understanding to close the gaps that continue such achievement that leave some behind.
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union is pleased to join or clasp hands with the ILO and the UN system in directing the spotlight on Rural Women, a group often overlooked despite their enormous contributions.
In fact, they contribute significantly to the development of agricultural production and food security. However, because of the very deep continue inequalities that have persisted over the past twenty (20) years they continue to be left behind.
In addition, the recent updated ILO figures show persistent inequalities between women and men on access to the labour market, unemployment and conditions at work.
This year’s International Women’s Day campaign Theme is: #PressforProgress. Plus, with the World Economic Forum’s 2017 Global Gender Gap Report finding telling us that gender parity is over two hundred years (200) away, which makes me quite sad, because it also tells me that time is running out for the present generation of girls and women to close the already existing wide gaps.
Therefore, there has never been a more important time than NOW to keep us motivated and to #Pressfor Progress. Also with the global activism for women’s equality fuelled by movements like #MeToo, and #TimesUp and more, there is definitely a strong global momentum that is striving for gender parity.
I am pretty sure that we all know and will agree that gender parity would not happen overnight but we also recognized that there is always a silver lining in the darkest of clouds, because the good news is that across the world women are making positive gains day by day.
Plus we all know fully well that there is indeed a very strong, vibrant and growing global movement of advocacy, activism and support.
Therefore, we cannot allow ourselves to just sit back on our laurels and become complacent, because NOW, more than ever, there is a strong call-to-action to press forward with progressive gender parity.
In addition, to a strong call to #PressforProgress, there is also a very strong call to motivate and unite friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive.
Let us keep in mind though that International Women’s Day is not for a country, a group or organization specific but rather the day belongs to all groups collectively everywhere.
Most importantly, let us get together!Let us all be tenacious in helping to accelerate gender parity and collectively let us all Press For Progress.
The St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union fully believes that the time is NOW for all of us collectively to redouble our efforts to bring the gaps that continue to deny Rural girls and women access to decent work. So let us Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk going forward.
As I close for today, I leave you with a quote by Roseanne Barr, and a song byBev Grant.
“The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you Power. You Just Take It.”– Roseanne Barr

Where Women Rule
By: Bev Grant.

Rebecca Lolosoli took the hand of a frightened teenage girl who was being forced to wed a man three times her aged.

“You are a small girl. Come sit here next to me. I will tell you ‘bout Umoja, underneath the shade.”

She said:
This is a patch of Africa where women rule.
This is our own village. No one treats you cruel.
Here our rights are sacred. When you walk through our doors,
You won’t have to put up with their nonsense anymore.

Joseph Kukulet still remembers the rage he felt that day
When his sobbing wife came home, her body raped and torn,
He pulled a knife on her, and said she brought him shame.
She ran to Rebecca, and Umoja Village was born.

This is a patch of Africa where women rule.
This is our own village. No one treats you cruel.
Here our rights are sacred. When you walk through our doors,
You won’t have to put up with their nonsense anymore.
Cheeky women ……. Trouble making lady.

This is a song I sing in honor of the women who would change the status quo,
On every continent you’ll find them, sharing what they know,
When women remain silent, no one thinks that they have anything to say,
Rebecca Lolosoli and others show us another way.

This is a patch of Africa where women rule.
This is our own village. No one treats you cruel.
Here our rights are sacred. When you walk through our doors,
You won’t have to put up with their nonsense anymore,
Cheeky women ……. Trouble making lady.