From The Philadelphia Tribune

March is Women’s History Month. In the Caribbean, however, the focus is International Women’s Day, which is celebrated on March 8 every year. The day was set aside by the International Women’s Conference after women gained the right to vote in the United States in the early 1900s.

The theme this year is “Balance for Better.” On this, the 108th anniversary, women worldwide were again recognized for their social, economic, cultural and political accomplishments.

The CARICOM Secretariat Ambassador Irwine LaRocque expressed how pleased he was “to celebrate our women and girls across the Caribbean Community.” He seized on the opportunity to bring attention to the overall issue of gender inequality not just in the Caribbean but all over the world. He said that with gender equality, economies will grow, families and communities will get stronger.

“When we have strong communities,” he said with emphasis, “our environments will be impacted and result in stronger nations.”

LaRocque made reference to a recent U.N. analysis of gender equality in the world of work, based on labor force data in 2017. He said the policy and statistical analysis revealed that male employment was 67 percent in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, 57 percent in Grenada, 55 percent in Barbados and 35 percent in Guyana. According to research by the International Monetary Fund, 54 percent of women in Latin America and the Caribbean were employed. Even though the employment rate for men varied, the employment rate for women continued to be lower than that of men.

LaRocque reminded CARICOM member states that they signed an agreement to develop a Regional Gender Equality Strategy that includes women’s economic empowerment and freedom from violence. He called on citizens of the Caribbean Community to move from grassroots activism while celebrating women and girls in creating a better balance for a better world.

Many other Caribbean leaders weighed in on the “Better for Balance” theme.

In Barbados, the founding president of the International Women’s Forum, Brenda Pope, spoke about the organization’s areas of focus for 2019. The balance Pope envisions is one that will liberate both male and female children; bridge a pathway for women in non-traditional areas of work (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and renewable energy); build a path and provide balance for women striving for financial independence; and build a bridge so that women will have a path to senior executive-level positions like directorships and chairmanships. Pope called on not just members of the International Women’s Forum but everyone to focus on innovative ways to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women everywhere.

St. Kitts-Nevis Times on Line (skntimesonline.com/times,caribbeanonline.com) is doing their part. They have made a commitment to highlighting the country’s most powerful and influential women. This tradition began in 2011 and will continue in 2019. The 40 women chosen represent a spectrum of careers including celebrities, bankers, entertainment personalities, radio announcers, business executives, CEOs, entrepreneurs, senior civil servants and attorneys. Each women is photographed and their pictures are posted on the St. Kitts-Nevis site.

A couple of the women we interviewed here in Philadelphia said they were excited for the female friends and relatives back home. “It’s nice that the men have finally realized that it is time to step up and honor these women,” said B. Lane. “They should be promoted and encouraged because in today’s society women are taking the initiative to shine. They should not always wait to be validated or for someone else to give them the opportunity to be successful. They have to seize the opportunity when it presents itself.

“We are firm believers that boys and girls should be taught at the same level and have the same rules and expectations. Let’s strike a balance and level the playing field. Education is the key to success.”

As the young people would say, “big up” the women in your family, treat them with dignity and respect and show them you love them. Words without deeds means nothing.

For more on this story go to: https://www.phillytrib.com/commentary/caribbean-currents-caribbean-leaders-celebrate-promote-role-of-women/article_d40f72b6-24d8-517a-a84f-59ce101b809a.html