This year’s International Women’s Day saw members of government, the business community, advocacy groups and the public come together to celebrate the contributions of women to society.
Officially recognised by the United Nations, International Women’s Day can be traced back to 1977, with roots in the women’s labour movements in North America and Europe. This year’s theme was Inspiring Inclusion.
With commemoration events beginning as early as March 8 and continuing into the weekend, the day was marked by activities across the country. One major event was the march around Woodford Square, Port of Spain, organised by the Network of NGOs of Trinidad and Tobago for the Advancement of Women, the Institute for Gender and Development Studies (IGDS), the Family Planning Association of TT and UWI St Augustine.
Other initiatives included President Christine Kangaloo’s storytime session for primary school students at President's House; the Mexican Embassy's tribute to women function; the South-West Regional Health Authority’s function at the San Fernando General Hospital; the Health Ministry’s Empower Her, Women's Holistic Wellness Festival at the Queen’s Park Savannah; Women InTechRise at Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port of Spain; and the PNM Women’s League function at City Hall.
[caption id="attachment_1069524" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Ambassador to Mexico, Victor Hugo Morales hosted a tribute at the embassy's Ricardo Flores Magón library on Hayes Street, St Clair on March 6 in honour of International Women's Day. - Photo by Grevic Alvarado[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1069525" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Women officers of the TTPS shared in the celebration of International Women's Day on March 8 at Xtra Foods in Aranguez. - Photo by Grevic Alvarado[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1069526" align="alignnone" width="683"] Titian-Rose Whittle, a gender-based violence specialist at the United Nations Population Fund celebrates International Women’s Day. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1069527" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Speaker Brigid Annisette-George, left, and President Christine Kangaloo look on as Natalia McCathy of Patna River Estate Government Primary School reads at an IWD event on March 8. - Photo by Roger Jacob[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1069528" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh, joined by Dr Sandy Arthur, addressed the San Fernando General Hospital at SWRHA's International Women's Day function. - Photo by Lincoln Holder[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1069530" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Women wait to be seen at the mobile screening clinic during the Empower Her, Women's Holistic Wellness Festival at the Queen's Park Savannah on March 9. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1069531" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Ingrid Jahra, CEO of CinemaONE Limited, gave the feature address at the PNM Women’s League IWD celebration at City Hall on March 10. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers[/captio
