PHILIPSBURG - Mercedes van der Waals Wyatt leader of HOPE party and team members are urging women of St. Maarten to empower themselves.
In a press release on Sunday, HOPE said, “Let’s look for role models and trail blazers who have paved the way for us. They have been many women in St. Maarten who have pioneered and done great things for our island weather it is through community service, business women in our community, teachers, doctors, lawyers but there is still a lot to be done where it concerns Gender equality.
“I say unleash the tigress in you. A woman has to discover the inner power she possesses on the inside that gives her courage, confidence and has to ability to stand up for what she believes in. I believe that the tigress inside of all of us women set the stage for us to reach our goals as individual women of this community. Together we stand stronger and more powerful with all of our talents and intellectual capacities.
“I say unto the women of St. Maarten take the lead and let nothing hold you back from achieving you goals all you got to do is believe in yourself, love yourself and be the best that you can be.
“Gender equality, also known as sex equality, gender egalitarianism, sexual equality or equality of the genders, is the view that both men and women should receive equal treatment and not be discriminated against based on their gender.
“Sint Maarten is, like most Islands in the Caribbean far from this idealistic world. There is still so much to be done. While the girls are statistically doing it better in schools and academically, still most people in higher positions are men. Just look at our politicians (minister’s cabinet and members of parliament), where we have a handful of women against the majority of men. Most of our households are headed by women, so how come tis unequal thing? So it is not because women are not doing it better. It is time to really do something on discrimination against women and come up with solution to go to breakeven, just like it is in the UN symbol for Gender equality.
“Gender equality is one of the program items of HOPE. It is also one goals of the United Nation’s program for Sustainable Development goals for the upcoming 20 years. HOPE is going step by step with this program, in its mission to eradicate inequality between the genders.
“‘Educating girls is vital to human development and improving quality of life. Girls are more likely to reinvest in their families and communities, boosting economies and increasing opportunities for everyone’ is a quote that Loekie Morales has confident in.
“‘We would like more women to be involved in our political system, more women in management positions of government, NGO’s and companies. They can also give lead to regional and international bodies. In our ‘More HOPE for gender equality’ program, we will use hope and confident next to knowledge and experience to bring innovative thinking together to reach gender equality in organizations. HOPE will be one of the parties with a woman on the lead, HOPE leader Mercedes van der Waals Wyatt stated.
HOPE wishes all women of St. Maarten and the world Happy International Women's Day on March 8th.