Nobody should under-estimate the power, will, energy and tenacity of Anguillian women when it comes to earnestly contending for their rights and gender equality. Their workshop in observance of International Women’s Day on Tuesday this week, March 8, was a highly-charged one. Those women who addressed the opening ceremony conveyed the depth of feelings of their colleagues on the floor, in no uncertain terms, with respect to various matters with which they are concerned.

The Minister of Finance, the Hon. Victor Banks, who sat in for the Chief Minister, was probably taken aback by their firm resolve and frankness. He described them as “powerful women” and assured them that they had an important role to play in Anguilla and steps were being taken by Government to that end. One of their major demands, as reported elsewhere, was for greater involvement in the political and decision-making processes of the island, standing side by side with the men in leadership positions.

Further, they called for legislative reforms for the protection of women, children and the family; for an end to domestic violence and abuse; for the stamping out of various inequalities which exist between women and men; and for respect for women’s sexual and reproductive rights.

It seems that law reform to guarantee some of their demands will not be enough to satisfy the concerns of our womenfolk who are very much aware of their rights and are prepared to go to any length to protect them. There needs to be a strong well-placed woman or women to champion their cause and to carry forward the bold initiatives they are talking about with so much passion and zeal.

Our women are not only the bedrock of the family but of the society as well. We need to give heed to their voice. Many of them were in the vanguard of the Anguilla Revolution and know the stamina and will power it takes to be in frontline positions. Today women occupy some of the top jobs on the island and are aspiring to even greater heights. One of them declared, following their workshop, that a woman may some day become the head of the island’s Government. Surely, gender equality must see to this as part of the general uplifting and achievements of our women.

Anguillian women have become a force to reckon with and have noble dreams which must not be slighted or discouraged. We owe it both to them and to the development our island to involve them as much as possible in the affairs of Anguilla and to ensure them the equality, protection and recognition for which they are contending.

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