#EmbraceEquity
With the theme this year being “Embrace Equity”, the Government of Bermuda is pleased to advise that female members of the public service will observe International Women’s Day (IWD) 2023.
A Cabinet Office spokeswoman said, “Each year on March 8, women around the world stand strong, stand proud and stand united in recognition of a day that seeks to raise awareness about the importance of gender parity and equality.”
As in previous years, several female members of the public service leadership, uniformed services and other government departments will participate in several internal and external activities to highlight the day.
The Minister of Social Development and Seniors, Tinee Furbert will lead the observations with a special video message to the community. She will also be a panelist at the Success Through Women’s Day Panel Discussion, sponsored by Goslings.
And as part of a government-wide awareness effort, select women of the public service who took part in a photo campaign will be featured.
The Cabinet Office spokeswoman continued, “We are excited to join our community in recognising International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is Embrace Equity. And in keeping with this year’s theme, when we embrace equity, we embrace diversity, and we embrace inclusion.
“Once again this year, internally we will be recognising women in the service who are excited to express their support for this year’s IWD theme and message.”
Female members of the Public Service Executive, including Deputy Head of the Public Service, Cherie Whitter, and Permanent Secretaries for Transport, Health, Labour and Economy, Finance and Education will all be represented during IWD.
In recognition of the occasion, Mrs. Whitter said, “The importance of IWD cannot be understated. Dismantling the entrenched norms of all forms of systemic discrimination requires behavioural changes amongst both men and women. We must collectively recognize and eradicate negative stereotypes.”
Jennifer Attride-Stirling, the Chief Strategy Officer for the Ministry of Finance said, “Embrace Equity is a perfect theme for 2023. As we look around the world, we see the terrible erosion of gender rights that had been earned over the past 100 years. So there could not be a better time to remind us that the whole Bermuda community must continue to embrace equity. Keep moving forward to greater inclusion and diversity in everything.”
And the Permanent Secretary of Education, Jasmin Smith concluded, “We can achieve much by embracing and celebrating everyone's contributions and differences.”
The public is encouraged to follow along on the Government’s social platforms tomorrow to view the observations being shared for International Women’s Day. To learn more about International Women’s Day, visit https://www.internationalwomensday.com/.