Today marks the celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD).

IWD highlights the importance in the movement for women’s rights. Raising awareness against bias, taking action for equality, and challenging gendered actions against women in order to create change remain important.

There are countless issues facing women such as domestic abuse and lack of leadership positions, due to gender discrimination. Yet, many women continue to show courage and determination in their everyday lives, and have played a critical role in the workplace and the fight against COVID-19 as essential workers; in addition to managing households while supervising the online schooling of children at home.

The 2021 theme for IWD is: #ChooseToChallenge. In a message from the Office of the Chief Secretary, women and men are urged to inspire each other to challenge the status quo and fight for gender equality.

Secretary of the Division of Community Development, Enterprise Development and Labour, Marslyn Melville-Jack, highlighted that, “A considerable number of countries that have seen more success in combating this disastrous disease [COVID-19] have done so with women at the helm.”

She reinforced her Division’s commitment to empowering and uplifting the island’s women and assisting in moulding effective leaders.

The United Nations has observed International Women’s Day since 1975 and has included an official theme for the day since 1996.