Basseterre, St. Kitts (National Assembly of Saint Christopher and Nevis): Honourable Members of the National Assembly lent their support to global gender parity during Tuesday’s Sitting (March 7, 2023) of the National Assembly.
During her Announcements, Speaker the Hon. Lanein Blanchette took the opportunity to address members of the House and the wider public on gender equity. The Sitting, which came on the eve of International Women’s Day, celebrated globally on March 8th, also saw a bipartisan show of support for gender parity with members across both benches donning hues and accents of purple. International Women’s Day is being celebrated with the aim to, “Embrace Equity,” under the theme, “DigitALL Innovation and Equality for Gender Equity.”
Speaker Blanchette invited those present to imagine, “a world free of bias and discrimination, one that is equitable and filled with inclusivity.” This dream, she posited, has in part been realized within our country, evidenced by the increased number of women who sit within the hallowed halls of the National Assembly.
Presently, women make up around 30% of the membership of the National Assembly of St. Christopher & Nevis, with women also leading in crucial roles such as the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Clerk and Parliamentary Counsels.
On behalf of the National Assembly, a Happy International Women’s Day is wished to all women and girls within our beautiful Federation and the wider world.