GRAND CAYMAN (GIS) – The Department of Counselling Services’ Family Resource Centre (FRC) celebrates the achievements of women and calls for greater equality in its annual observance of Honouring Women Month, throughout March.

This year’s International Women’s Day (Thursday, 8 March 2018) theme, #PressforProgress, is a strong call to action to press forward, motivate and unite friends, colleagues and the entire community to think, act and be gender inclusive.

“The World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report tells us that the world is still about 200 years away from achieving complete gender parity,” said the department’s Director Judith Seymour. “While considerable progress has been made over the years as evidenced by the presence of more women in the boardroom and legislature, and greater visibility of women as role models in every facet of life, the momentum gained by the recent #MeToo movement demonstrates just how much work remains to be done to bring us closer to that goal.”

“This year’s Honouring Women Month events span a range of endeavours that women play increasingly active and defining roles in,” said the Minister for Health, Environment, Culture and Housing Hon. Dwayne Seymour. “Through the gender violence prevention leadership training sessions, sports activities, arts event, prayer and recognition ceremony, we are acknowledging that diversity. I encourage families, individuals, young and old to take part in at least one of the activities being offered to recognise women’s achievements and become a part of the local movement of advocacy and support for gender parity.”

The Honouring Women Month events schedule includes –
■ Thursday, 1 March and Friday, 2 March – Four, three-hour training sessions on Gender Violence Prevention Leadership led by leading gender rights advocate Dr. Jackson Katz PhD at the Marriott Hotel, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Daily registration is required and the event is free to the public.
■ Thursday, 8 March – International Women’s Day – Canvas and Mocktails at Art Nest, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., $38 including refreshments
■ Friday, 17 (Kaibo) and Saturday, 18 March (Smiths Cove, South Sound) – Colour Me Purple 5K Run/Walk., Cost $25. Fundraiser for local youth and women’s initiatives
■ Sunday, 25 March – Honouring Women Month church service, John Gray Memorial Church, West Bay, 10 a.m.

For registration and more information, call the FRC on 949-0006 or email [email protected]