St. Maarten News – Women’s Desk will observe International Women’s Day under the United Nations theme: “Step it up for Gender Equality” on March 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hope Estate Help Desk.
The observance will take the form of an award and lecture event. The stage for the evening’s proceedings is set with a welcoming reception, with live steel pan entertainment by the 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 the Director of the University of Sint Martin’s School of Continued and Lifelong Learning (Scell), founder of the Women’s Island Network (Win) and host of a women’s radio talk show on SOS 95.9 FM. Dr. Gittens focus for her presentation will be on the UN’s theme “Step it up to Gender Equality.” She will highlight some of the events coming out of the 2015 Commission on the Status of Women’s meeting and give recommendations about how to realize the UN’s sustainable development goal for gender equality in Sint Maarten.
The highlight of the evening will be the honoring of seven individuals, both men and women, for playing a prevalent role in stepping it up directly or indirectly for gender equality. 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 Women’s Desk attempts to begin the process of equalizing the struggle for women and removing the prevailing perception that gender issues and gender equality are solely a “woman’s business”; but in truth and 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, the Women’s Desk said in a press statement.
Gender equality theme for International Women’s Day
