Speaking at an award function, where several women were recognized for their contribution to society, Phipps said women in the Federation play critical roles in the development of the nation, in such areas as the family, as well as in the social, cultural and economic contexts.
“Whatever the post, whatever the station, whatever the title attached to the contribution of women in this country, I consider you all to be trail blazers and nation builders with a vast, exhaustive job description – for now and the long haul. Women the world over are gathering on this International Women’s Day to acknowledge, to celebrate, to document, and to proclaim the role of women in global development,” Phipps said.
When it comes to equality for women, Phipps noted that it has been a century-long fight, which has been shifting over the years, with more women being able to hold public offices.
“We can all agree that over the past century there has been considerable improvement in the status and position of women, including the right to vote, to hold office in Government, to take up jobs in previously male-dominated roles, and the right and opportunity to access high-end educational and training opportunities. Unfortunately, however, it would be rather inaccurate to state that women have now come into their own, and are represented equally in terms of employment and wages, social standing, participation in Government and private sector leadership, and even in international agencies,” Phipps indicated.
“As such, the fight must go on to ensure that women assume their rightful places in equal, meaningful partnership with our menfolk, in all areas of human endeavor,” she added.
Consistently high effort must also be made in collaboration with agencies such as UN Women, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Organization of American States (OAS), in order to ensure that strategic partnerships will bring crucial development aid to state and Non-governmental agencies (NGOs) charged with the implementation of projects directed at the advancement of women, the senator with responsibility for Gender Affairs emphasized.
To this end, she pointed out that these and other initiatives were outlined in Team Unity’s manifesto, which includes an eight-pronged approach to Gender Equality and the Advancement of Women.
Senator Phipps assured women of the nation that she would fiercely advocate for gender equality initiatives for her “sisters” in the nation.