Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 26, 2018 (SKNIS): Minister of State with responsibility for Gender Affairs, the Honourable Wendy Phipps, had the privilege of giving the keynote address at the Inaugural Women of Purpose SKN Conference currently taking place in St. Kitts at the Royal St. Kitts Hotel from April 26 – 29.
Minister Phipps while addressing the delegation of women expressed her delighted in having been asked to participate in this launch. She also expressed that the government is happy for the support provided by the United Nations through its network agencies in bringing together female leaders from North America, the Caribbean and the United Kingdom.
“I bring you greetings on behalf of the Cabinet whose membership is heartened by the level of interest and commitment that has been demonstrated by founders of this fledgling non-governmental organization (NGO) in building the foundation that has been already laid insofar as the advancement of women is concerned,” said Minister Phipps.
Minister Phipps made mention of the major commitments made at the landmark Beijing World Conference on Women held in September 1995. She explained that the outcome of the gathering was the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which outlined 12 action areas necessary for the improvement in the condition of women.
“We in St. Kitts and Nevis should be proud of our achievements that outstrip the global condition of women in many regards,” noted Minister Phipps as she outlined some of the milestones that have been achieved in the Federation.
These milestones include the increase of women in leadership positions, the consistent increase in the number of women in the labour force, the record of having at least one woman in Parliament since Independence in 1983, heavy representation in the number of women in the legal and judicial systems and the out performance of females over males in secondary education.
She added that “for these successes and others, credit should be given to the many years of talent, time, treasure, experience and leadership that have been invested by a number of women in this country.”
Minister Phipps said that the Government is fully committed to women in the Federation attaining their full potential and wished the inaugural conference every success.
“On behalf of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, I extend every good wish for a successful conference. The Federal Ministry of Gender Affairs looks forward, with anticipation, to seeing a full slate of actionable items which can execute jointly with Women of Purpose-SKN for the betterment of all women in our Federation,” she stated.
The Women of Purpose-SKN Foundation is a non-government organization established in February 2018 to promote and facilitate the advancement of women in St. Kitts and Nevis. The foundation is designed with the goal of empowering and enhancing the welfare of women and vulnerable youths through training, counselling, mentoring and coaching to contribute to social and economic advancement.
