Every year, the month of March is set aside in Cayman to honour and celebrate the achievements of women, while addressing gender-specific issues.
Honouring Women Month is a time for celebration, reflection and call to action. This year, the event marks a milestone – its 25th anniversary – with events and activities focusing around the tagline #InspireInclusion, and the theme of International Women’s Day – a global event taking place annually on 8 March.
“Whether you are an individual or operating at a corporate level, it’s about ensuring that you are creating opportunities that inspire inclusion for women – whether that is race, age, gender or abilities,” says Charmaine Miller, clinical supervisor of the Family Resource Centre. “We are creating platforms where we can talk about that, and the actions we can take to inspire inclusiveness.”
The Family Resource Centre is a government unit under the Department of Counselling Services, part of the Ministry of Health & Wellness. It organises and facilitates Honouring Women Month events in partnership with the Gender Affairs Unit.
RAISING AWARENESS
Honouring Women Month was launched in 1999 by then-governor John Owen.
“He proclaimed March as a month to celebrate women’s achievements while raising awareness about gender-related issues impacting women in the Cayman Islands, as well as globally,” says Charmaine.
The campaign was initially spearheaded by the Women’s Resource Centre, which eventually merged with two other government bodies to form the Family Resource Centre.
“We continue to support and lead this campaign because we recognise the importance it holds within our community,” says Charmaine.
Included in the various Honouring Women Month events organised by the Family Resource Centre is the celebration of International Women’s Day, with the theme tagline #InspireInclusion encouraging everyone to collectively forge a more inclusive world for women and girls.
HWM has several signature events, among them the International Women’s Day Fundraiser Gala, Female-Owned Business Pop Up Market, STEM Girls Camp, Women and Agriculture Workshop, Women and Health Workshop, Young Parent Services Baby Supply Drive, and the Colour Me Purple 5K Fun Run/Walk.
For a full list of events and celebrations during Honouring Women Month, and to download the calendar of events, visit the Family Resource Centre at: dcs.gov.ky
“The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous: be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble.” – Serena Williams, professional tennis champion
This article originally appeared in Compass Media’s CayWoman newspaper supplement.
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