CARICOM SG Irwin LaRocque
The Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ambassador Irwin LaRocque claims the honour and privileged to salute the women and girls of the Caribbean Community on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2014.
This year’s United Nation’s theme ‘Equality for Women is Progress for All’, is one that we can all embrace as we examine our progress toward meeting the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and, in particular, Goals 3 and 5 relating to gender equality and maternal health respectively.
The Secretary General for the occasion issued the following statement:
“On this Day, we unite to celebrate the empowerment of women and advancements made toward gender equality. We also reflect on the gaps to be filled to achieve our regional vision – a Caribbean Community where all citizens actively participate in and benefit equally from the economic growth and sustainable development of our countries. This achievement is very much a collective task, and effective change can only be realized when women are equal players in the governance of our Region. If we limit the potential of some, we limit the benefits to all.
The women of our Community have shown great courage and strength as catalysts for change in the pursuit of justice, equality and peace. CARICOM Member States have responded by ratifying international conventions and making national and regional commitments to fulfil their obligations. This has been most marked in the areas of legislation and policy, increased participation of women in the labour market and improved access to public resources such as tertiary education and health care.”
http://www.caricom.org/jsp/pressreleases/press_releases_2014/pres41_14.jsp
