Thank you kindly Madam Chair
President of the Senate, Hon. Hazelyn Francis,
Executive director of the Gender Affairs Bureau, Sheila Roseau; UNIFEM Programme Coordinator, Roberta Clarke
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It was one short year ago that I stood before you on International Women's Day making a presentation for the first time as Minister of Gender Affairs. I can clearly remember the words I spoke and the concerns I raised.

Over these last couple of days, however, the challenge has been mine to paraphrase in a fresh new way what I want to say to you today; for really, the message is always the same. Just as a child needs nourishment and nurturing; women of this world need the same consistent message for freedom and forward movement drummed into our psyche.

It is not easy when our discussions are considered "noise" and when simply standing up for our rights is looked at as "grandstanding." As women, we are often made to feel almost apologetic for raising another issue; for reminding some authority figure of yet another matter that has been simmering on the back burner of procrastination for too long. I have heard the silent growls of exasperation caged behind teeth bared in plastic smiles; and have read the thoughts so laced with sarcasm that their brows - knitted in feign concern - could not contain.

Letters I have received don't even bother to disguise the mockery between their lines; instead their responses jump out doubled over in laughter at serious women's issues.

All of this would scare a lesser woman; would cause her to throw her hands up in defeat. But I can't back down nor do I want to; because I am committed to the course and the cause and I have been elected to represent.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I invite you today to represent with me. I challenge those of you who listen to me speak and applaud my libretto and nod your heads in agreement to do something about this. We have met time and time again; workshop after workshop; meeting after meeting. What are you doing about our business?

The time is now. Time for you to turn up the volume on your whispers. Time for you to leave the comfort of the shadows and step forward into the spotlight. The time is now for you to stop waiting on the same tired wounded soldiers to do something about it. In the spirit of our national anthem I say: "Gird your loins and join the battle." Yes, you. And you! And you! If not you then who?

Many of you without any personal sacrifice at all, reap the sweet and enjoy the benefits these causes derive. You lap the sweet at the expense of other's sweat, blood and tears. You enjoy the benefits at the expense of other people's sacrifice; sacrifice of time, of reputation; of finances; of family.

How many of you have ever sat down to ponder what it is like to listen to scandalous comments that colour, taint and bring your reputation into question? It's hard as hell to have hatred and vitriol spat your way on a daily basis from certain corners - hatred designed for distraction and political aggrandizement. There is a myth that the truth hurts; but whoever has ever felt it knows that lies laced in malice, evil and wickedness sting dreadfully. But I say to you today, sacrifice is the foundation for change. So again I ask, if not you, then who?

As far back as the 1800's, women activists spoke for us and to us and made sacrifices for us. Women like Mary Church Turell, President of the National Association of Colored Women of America, who said; "With courage, born of success achieved in the past, with a keen sense of the responsibility which we shall continue to assume, we look forward to a future large with promise and hope. Seeking no favors, nor patronage because of our needs, we knock at the bar of justice, asking an equal chance."

Sojourner Truth; Rosa Parks, Ernestine L Rose. Lucretia Mott, Women's Rights Pioneer in 1849 put it aptly, "There is nothing of greater importance to the well being of society at large; than the true and proper position of women."

Our wheels in motion make other women believe that they can. It encourages those who are just waiting - to step out. It gives those whose brains have been washed in ignorance healthy food for thought.

Women living and leading by example may be disturbing to some; but for the empowerment and upward mobility of womankind it is a potent and positive image. The time has come for us to stop playing victim. The fingers we point in blame should be rolled into fists ready to do battle for the things we want. Who is more powerful; the King or the Kingmaker?

With my election by the people of the constituency of St. George came the responsibility to represent women and men all across Antigua and Barbuda. There's a saying that "hand wash hand mek hand come clean." What I am saying to those of you who simply wait - is that if you want something done for you then you have to do something for you. The spirit of cooperation is paramount in these matters that matter to all of us.

Today is not a day for niceties, clichés and kids gloves. Today is International Women's Day. A day for introspection. A day for forward planning, regrouping and organizing.

Just last week I attended the 50th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York, where leaders from around the globe, men and women considered two themes:

• "Enhanced participation of women in development: an enabling environment for achieving gender equality and the advancement of women, taking into account the fields of education, health and work; and secondly;
• "Equal participation of women and men in decision making processes at all levels."

Listening to the various country reports, expert panels and presentations, there was remarkable energy, enthusiasm and vigour from all the leaders who are committed to achieving the goals set out by the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the Millennium Development Goals.

And I just want to remind you that Goal Three of the Millennium Development Goals promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women as a global reaffirmation of women's rights and gender equality as core values of development. MDG #3 includes:

• Women's right to own and inherit property;
• Equal access to productive assets and resources including land, credit and technology;
• Eliminating all forms of discrimination and violence against women and the girl child;
• Increased representation of women in government decision-making bodies and;
• Universal access to reproductive health.

These remain the global policy framework for gender equality and the empowerment of women.

The Directorate of Gender Affairs is doing an incredible amount of work in these areas and we implore you to reach out and find out what you can do to assist. Get involved with, revive or start some community effort geared at encouraging women and girls. This project in particular is admirable in its objective to mobilize community groups to build a stronger sense of community to tackle the myriad problems that are to be addressed. I say to you, if you know what your neighbor is going through; offer her a shoulder; lend an ear instead of turning a blind eye. Her pain today could be yours tomorrow.

When we march for the elimination of violence against women - join us. March for those who cannot march for themselves. Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Show those who would like to do better, or different - that there is support; that there is an alternative. This upward effort is for all of us. Not only Women in Antigua and Barbuda, but for women everywhere; throughout the Caribbean and throughout the world.

Sadly, inspite of the progress attained the general picture of women's representation in political decision-making leaves much to be desired. According to the United Nations statistics, there are about six times as many men as women in important decision making positions. In 2005, only 20 Parliaments and 17 Cabinets reached the UN target of 30% women. This magical figure 30% has been considered a "critical mass" to bring about change.

Undoubtedly, the number of women Heads of State or government has increased dramatically. Countries such as Norway, Rwanda, Belgium, Costa Rica, Argentina, Guyana, Chile, India, Uganda, Ghana and South Africa have seen amazingly fast development in the share of women in Parliament, and we applaud them.
Today, I happily acknowledge and applaud the election of Portia Simpson Miller as leader of the People's National Party. I wait with bated breath for her inauguration as Prime Minister of Jamaica. Her dedication to what she believes in kept her in the race; a symbol that the race is not necessarily for the swift. Mrs. Simpson Miller is not someone in a distant land who we only read about. She has a face like ours; an accent and dialect not very unlike ours. She enjoys a culture like ours. She is our neighbor and a perfect example of what we can achieve and where we can go.

As an Undergraduate student in Jamaica in the 1980s, I admired Portia's incredible talent, her vast energy, her drive, and her inordinate passion for people, politics and her nation. For those of us who have chosen to rest the hats for a while; Portia Simpson Miller is another feather in our collection. A reminder to the Caribbean woman that where there is a will there is a way. The will of the Jamaican people should be infectious.

What, my dear people, do you think it takes? We are no different to you. What sets us apart is our will to see and effect change. All it requires is commitment and love of humankind. The spirit to bite when barking is ineffective. The willingness to get into the cage and take the bull by the horns.

The time has come for the "King makers" and "party supporters" and "background players" and "wind beneath" and "great woman behind" to make some noise. Let the real strength of the woman be felt.

Women across Antigua and Barbuda: at home; in Churches; in offices; in the classrooms; in the boardroom; wherever your place - exercise your rights. Speak your piece clearly and raise your voices if and when necessary.

Whether appointed, elected or selected don't toe the line simply to appease. Do not apologize for using your brain and for doing the right things as opposed to the things that are expected of you.

Add your voice; add your ideas. For those interested, position yourselves for the Upper and Lower Houses. Be at the table where decisions are made; where policies and legislation are born and passed. Only when women affect and influence decision-making will the effect be quickly realized. Only when women present themselves, as leaders will the wait for equity be shortened.

Only when women abandon the idea of second place and know that they can - will the true strength of the woman be felt. The empowerment of women is a force that cannot be reckoned with. I invite you to join the force.

Happy International Women's Day to one and all.

Thank you.