PHILIPSBURG – Women’s Desk will observe International Women’s Day under the United Nations (UN) theme: “Step it up for Gender Equality.”
The observance will take the form of an award and lecture event, which will be held on Tuesday, March 8, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Hope Estate Help Desk. The stage for the evening’s proceedings is set with a welcome reception, containing live pan entertainment by Dow Musical Foundation.
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Natasha Gittens, who will be divulging a wealth of experience, exposure and knowledge to the audience. Dr. Gittens is Director of the University of St. Martin’s (USM) School of Continuing Education (SCELL). She is also founder of the women’s organization WIN (Women Winning at Life), and host of a Women’s Radio Talk Show on radio station SOS 95.9.
Dr. Gittens’ focus for her presentation will be on the UN’s theme. She will highlight some of the events coming out of the 2015 Commission on the Status of Women’s meeting (CSW) and give recommendations on how to collectively realize the UN’s Sustainable Development goal for Gender Equality in St. Maarten.
The highlight of the evening will be the honouring of seven individuals, both men and women, for playing a prevalent role in “stepping it up” directly or indirectly for Gender Equality on St. Maarten. Despite the many gender stereotypes, the awardees pursued careers in professions that were once deemed for the opposite sex.
International Women’s Day is usually a day to set aside, to highlight and commemorate the accomplishments and contributions of women in their quest for equality.
However, this year the Women’s Desk is attempting to begin the process of equalizing the struggle for women, and removing the prevailing perception that gender issues and gender equality are solely “woman’s business.” In fact, gender issues are everybody’s business. Men play a very important role in the realization of equality for women, hence the recognition and awarding of men during International Women’s Day 2016.
Women’s Desk continues to work towards strengthening of the position of women in the community of St. Maarten and by extension their families.
Women’s Desk to celebrate International Women’s Day 2016
