World celebrates achievements of women today
TODAY is being celebrated worldwide as International Womens Day (IWD)– a day when the world pauses to celebrate the achievement of women in all spheres of life, and for some countries to push for legislation to improve the status of women.
Here in Jamaica, women’s groups and organisations, while focusing on local gender issues, will use the day and the entire month of March, which is designated Women’s History Month, to collaborate with disenfranchised women worldwide, and to lend in solidarity with millions of oppressed women around the Globe.
The Women’s Resource and Outreach Centre (WROC), in tandem with women in the Lyndhurst/Greenwich Park Community, have organised a day of activities to celebrate IWD, which coincides with its 20th Anniversary.
“We at WROC consider this to be a pivotal day in the life of the Centre, it is our anniversary and a good time for us to reflect on our role in the whole areas of women’s development,” said Claudette Harrison, manager of WROC.
“Women in the community have organised a number of activities, through the women’s group,” said Ms Agatha Lewis, group member. The occasion she noted will also be a time to “take stock of women’s status and struggles in our society.”
In addition, said Harrison, “the International theme of peace is very timely, for several reasons: Violence against women and children is still a big issue in our society. Crime and violence is a major concern of many”.
And the Nurses Association of Jamaica, in its message to mark the day, said that it is timely for Jamaica to acknowledge the various roles women play in shaping the society.
“We laud the contribution of women, particularly those who have impacted the society in a leadership capacity. But we also urge our men to love, support, protect and respect women,” the association said in a release.