Happy International Women’s Day 2018
Dear Editor,
Press for progress or in other words, push forward for progress in order to achieve equality for women in areas where it is felt that progress is still lacking for women, including in economic and social standing. I take this opportunity to wish all women in
Sint Maarten from all walks of life an enjoyable and most reflective day.
On this occasion I wish to give attention and support to the many women who became jobless in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Women from different backgrounds, who made a choice to leave Sint Maarten in search of work. Women, who brazed the odds and started a small business in order to help put often-overpriced food on the table, and pay the high rent.
Women, who to date have no place to live since the hurricane and shuffle from place to place every day, waiting for a safe place to sleep for themselves and for their children.
Women, who have written into the social housing scheme, and who have been waiting for many years to be able to live in an affordable and decent home. Women, who wish and can afford to purchase their social homes, waiting in vain to see yet another year go by with no firm decision.
The list continues, yes, right here in Sint Maarten. How about pushing for progress for these and other women, without having a specific social agenda, other than pushing for progress for all women, and by extension, our society would benefit and progress as a whole?
Less talk and firm decision-making is required sooner rather than later. How do we break this vicious cycle of marginalization, and achieve true empowerment of women in our society as a whole? This struggle is real. One of our most pressing issues facing our women today is the fact that reportedly a whopping ninety-four percent of our households have a yearly income of between 0-50.000 guilders a year. Most likely a great percentage of this figure comprises women.
Pushing for progress in our society is ultimately measured by the success of our empowerment programs and policies made available for women and girls that enhance their participation in our social, financial and economic life, visible through the improvement of their immediate surroundings. Improvement in their homes, real job opportunities, and their neighbourhoods.
Happy International Women’s Day 2018!
Gracita R. Arrindell
