IWD celebrations going to Carriacou

By Linda Straker

A rally and exhibition tomorrow, March 8, at the Hillsborough Tennis Court will be the main activity by the Ministry of Social Development in conjunction with the Grenada National Organisation of Women (GNOW) to observe International Women’s Day (IWD) 2014.

Elaine Henry McQueen of the Ministry said that the decision to take the celebration to Carriacou is based on the fact that the ministry has held IWD celebrations in every parish with the exception of Carriacou.

“We have taken the celebration to every parish; in some cases, some parishes have had it twice or more times since we started celebrating IWD, so this year we will be heading to Carriacou for the main gathering of women,” she explained.

As part of the rally, GNOW office will be presenting an exhibition which focuses on gender-based violence. Lorice Pascal, Project Officer of GNOW, said that there are two organisations in Carriacou which are members of GNOW and while the office will be mounting the exhibition, it will be the responsibility of its members to maintain it for a period of time.

“The exhibition will be on display for a while and our members there will be responsible for maintaining its presence, so that persons will understand the negative impact of gender-based violence,” she said.

During the rally, a total of six women in Carriacou will be recognised for their outstanding contribution towards the development of women and leadership in general over the years.

“Five will be recognised for what they have already done and one will be recognised for the role she
is currently playing in contributing towards that type of advocacy,” McQueen said.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs, Mrs. Gertrude Niles, will deliver the keynote address which will be based on the theme of the day’s observance. McQueen said the theme is “Inspiring Change: Equality for Women is Progress for All”.

“Women’s equality has made positive gains, but the world is still unequal. International Women’s Day celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing the world’s attention on areas requiring further action,” she said.

Each year, International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8. The first International Women’s Day was held in 1911. Thousands of events occur to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

Besides the collaboration between the Ministry and GNOW, other organisations such as the women’s arm of political parties and trade unions are organising activities to observe the day in Grenada.