Since 1975, International Women’s Year, the United Nations has celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8.
Each year on that day, Jamaica joins with nations all over the world in recognising the roles of women in nation building, human rights, and social justice. It is primarily an occasion for envisioning potential opportunities, acknowledging accomplishments, assessing past challenges, and focusing greater attention on women’s rights and gender equality.
This year’s theme is ‘Empower Women, Empower Humanity: Picture it!’
Over the years, Jamaica has made considerable progress towards empowering women through improved access to quality education and training, improved participation in high-level decision-making, facilitating the growth of small and medium enterprises, expanding health care and services for women and girls through poverty reduction programmes, among many other initiatives.
We celebrate Jamaica’s ranking in a recent International Labour Organisation Survey as having the greatest proportion of women managers and business leaders.
I wish to acknowledge our women and men of Jamaica who continue to support and promote the work and value of women and girls in our educational institutions, homes, churches, communities, and business places.
