COMMUNITY IMPACT TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR THIS YEAR’S INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AWARDS

Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 06, 2019 (SKNIS): Women making an impact in the community will be celebrated at the 2019 International Women’s Day Awards Ceremony slated for Friday, March 08, at Government House.

“We have awards for education, specifically community after school activity. Why I say community is because the impact of these awards that we are giving out should be based on the impact that is made in the community after hours… we want to look at your contribution to the communities,” said Celia Christopher, Director of Gender Affair, during her appearance on ‘Working for You’ on Wednesday, March 06, 2019. “This has nothing to do with length of service; this has to do with the impact of your work in the community after you would have done your normal eight to four hours.”

She said that nominees are determined after several consultations with non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

“We talk to NGO’s, ask them for their input as to who are these people that are doing work in the community, not that they have been ignored but have not been brought to the fore, hence the award to these people,” she added.

Youth volunteerism will also be recognized in this years’ awards.

“This is something we want to encourage because there are a lot of young people out there and sometimes they have a lot of time on their hands, and so if they could just do something positive in the community we want to encourage that,” she stated.

Other categories include technology; contribution to care of the elderly; culture; agriculture; disaster management, and entrepreneurship. One of the awardees will be a personal nominee of Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, and that individual will be recognized in one of the fields listed.

This year, UN Women has chosen the following as the official theme for International Women’s Day 2019: “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change.” I repeat: “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change.”  Along with this theme are the slogans: “Better the balance, better the World” & #BalanceforBetter.