ST. JOHN’S - 03 March – Although International Women’s Day (IWD) is traditionally observed on the 8th March each year, the women of Antigua & Barbuda will use the entire month of March to heighten awareness on persisting issues impacting women, and celebrate economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.
Civil society organisations, the Professional Organisation of Women in Antigua & Barbuda (POWA), Women Against Rape (WAR), the Women’s Ministry of the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA), August Rush Productions, and collaborative women’s groups from various local churches, along with the Directorate of Gender Affairs, will present the general public with a number of opportunities to celebrate the lives of women, while gaining invaluable information about the status of women in Antigua & Barbuda and women throughout the world.
The observance of International Women’s Day coincides with a global calendar of events to inspire women and celebrate achievements. With a diversity of events and activities planned throughout the world, Antigua & Barbuda will follow in this vein throughout the month of March.
Official activities commenced on 27th February, with the Women’s Ministry of the SDA presenting, “End It Now: Adventists Say NO to Violence Against Women”, at the church’s annual tent. Throughout the month of March, the women’s organisations of Antigua & Barbuda will showcase a variety of dramatic arts presentations, workshops, poetry nights and panel discussions, all linked in various ways to this year’s international IWD theme: Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities, Progress for All.
On 8th March, Minster of Education, Gender, Sports and Youth, Dr. Hon. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro, will present the Government’s National IWD Address, and lend her support to “Progress for Women, Progress for All” a Relief Concert for Haiti, on 13th March 2010 at the Multipurpose Cultural Centre - 7:30pm.
For more information on International Women’s Day, contact respective agencies, or the Directorate of Gender Affairs for a full calendar of organisations' events:
Alverna Inniss or Craig Rijkaard
Directorate of Gender Affairs
462.3990
462.1411
