Written Message from Minister of Community Affairs, Gender and Housing, Hon. Dwayne Seymour

Today, 8th March, thousands of events around the world will mark International Women’s Day.

On this day we are all connected in a global web that celebrates the achievements of women, and inspires more girls and women to strive toward their own personal goals. Under the Honouring Women Month theme – Strong Girls. Strong Women. Strong World. –  this is exactly what we aim to do in the Cayman Islands.

We must ensure that women and girls are given equal rights and responsibilities, and at the same time, encourage them to fulfil their potential in all areas of life.

The contributions of our girls and women are essential to building a stronger country and in turn a stronger world.  For this reason we celebrate their achievements on this important date, and in years to come.

Today marks 15 years since the Government first declared March to be Honouring Women Month in the Cayman Islands. Over the years much has been achieved, but there is still work left to do.

With this in mind, Government is committed to upholding the rights of girls and women and protecting them from prejudice, discrimination and injustice. We are also still actively working towards ensuring that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is extended to the Cayman Islands.

Accordingly I encourage all individuals and organisations to likewise promote equal opportunities in your homes, in your personal relationships, in your workplaces and in your community spaces.

Gender equality ensures that all of us – men and women and boys and girls – can contribute to and benefit from growth and development.

Throughout this month, the Family Resource Centre (FRC) will be organising various activities and events. I encourage all men, women, boys and girls to attend or participate in as many as possible.

I would like to thank the FRC for their continued dedication to coordinating vibrant and diverse activities during Honouring Women Month. Their work reminds to celebrate and honour the women in our lives and throughout our community, but also to focus our attention on building strong resilient girls.

In addition, I would also like to acknowledge all of other government and community partners for their sponsorship and support throughout the month.

Tonight’s International Women’s Day Celebration at the National Gallery will involve a variety of activities suitable for the whole family.

Additionally, attendees will witness the unveiling of a community calendar that lists important public events for the year. The calendar includes inspirational quotes and images that illustrate positive messages about women and girls.

If you are able, I encourage you to purchase a calendar in support of the work that the Family Resource Centre does to empower girls and women.  I trust that each day it will serve as a reminder of our strong community, and in particular, the strengths of our girls and women.

Also in keeping with the 2013 global theme for International Women’s Day: The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum, let us all be conscious of the lingering inequalities in our society and work together to build on the progress we have made to date and to bring gender issues to the forefront for the betterment of our country and the world.

Happy Women’s Day!