NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (March 09, 2021) – Premier Hon. Mark Brantley, Senior Minister of Gender Affairs in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) in applauding the invaluable contribution women make to society, said women should be celebrated every day.

Premier Brantley was at the time delivering welcome remarks at a Women’s Self-Empowerment Workshop held on International Women’s Day (IWD), March 8, 2021, on Nevis.

“We are so happy to see so many women from different backgrounds, different disciplines, together on this occasion. Today is International Women’s Day, and certainly we ought to celebrate women every day.

“I want you to know that we as a government are appreciative of the tremendous contribution that women make,” he said.

Highlighting the IWD 2021 theme ‘Women in leadership’, Mr. Brantley said often times people only see leadership in the context of politics.

“That is not so. Women lead in the homes, women lead in the churches, women lead in politics yes, but women lead in every facet of our society.

“And I think that when we seek to restrict it only to politics, we do not appreciate the full extent of leadership by women in our community,” he said.

He pointed out that many homes on Nevis which are single parent homes, are being led by women.

“They too need to be recognized, that their contribution as leaders is also critical. Leadership comes in different ways and all forms of leadership are important if we are to build the type of society that we need.”

Premier Brantley lauded women in the Federation for occupying leadership positions across every facet of society, including the civil service, government, institutions and organizations.

“If you look across for example, our society, look across our civil service, women in various positions of leadership- permanent secretaries, we have women in Cabinet, we have women in the parliament, we have women here who are doctors, lawyers. We have women now in what are called non-traditional areas such as construction.

“Women are making their mark, as they should, and are contributing significantly to our society.

He told the more than two dozen participants at the workshop that they are all leaders in their own right. He encouraged the women to continue to be empowered and strong, and to continue to make their valuable contributions.

The workshop was organized by Ms. Latoya Jones, Special Advisor in the Office of the Premier and facilitated by Dr. Linda Carty, Sociologist.