Monthlong focus on honouring women

(CNS Local Life): The Family Resource Centre (FRC) is hosting a packed programme of events in March to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Honouring Women Month (HWM), which kicks off today (1 March) with “Women in the Workplace Recognition – Strike the Pose Challenge”. The theme for the month, #BalanceForBetter, is a call to action to drive gender balance throughout the world.

This year’s focus is on recognising that everyone has an important role to play, stated a government press release. The theme “highlights the fact of entering an exciting period of history where the world now expects balance in the boardroom, government, workplace, and in all spheres of life which undoubtedly drives a better world,” the release said.

The opening weekend will also feature a special service at St George’s Anglican Church on Sunday, 3 March at 9am.

“FRC is very excited to be celebrating our 20th anniversary of Honouring Women Month locally,” said the centre’s programme coordinator Charmaine Miller. “We have put together 20 events in honour of this special celebration to help bring awareness to the gender-related issues women face.

“Through these diverse events, we hope to celebrate and empower women and girls but also recognise the need to have our male counterparts as part of the process in order to achieve gender equality.”

Judith Seymour, director of the Department of Counselling Services, said of Honouring Women Month, “The various events organised could not have been made possible without the support of the Ministry of Health, Environment, Housing and Culture in partnership with the Ministry of Community Affairs’ Gender Affairs Unit, as well as other private stakeholders who have demonstrated a vested interest in supporting the HWM campaign.

“This generosity by our community allows us to continue raising awareness on gender affairs matters, which will undoubtedly contribute to a more inclusive society.”

Minister for Health, Environment, Culture and Housing Dwayne Seymour said, “Honouring Women Month represents a real opportunity for the community to assess how far along it is in advancing the rights of women and families.”

He added he encourages people to attend at least one HWM event in a show of support and to find out how to “advance gender parity”.

The HWM calendar of events also includes the following:

●Tuesday, 5 March – HWM Table Talk: Hearing Women’s perspectives on gender-related issues, 12-1pm, Radio Cayman’s Talk Today;

●Friday, 8 March – Captain Marvel International Premiere, 7:30pm, Camana Bay Cinema + International Women’s Day Dress for a Cause photo opportunity, 9am, front steps of Government Administration Building;

●Saturday, 9 March – Balance for Busy Moms session, 2pm, Books and Books, Camana Bay;

●Sunday, 10 March – Yoga for a Cause – a fun session and short lecture on the health benefits of yoga for women, 3:30pm, Bliss Living & Yoga Studio;                                                        

●Friday, 15 March – Honouring Women Month Luncheon, 12-2pm, Kimpton Seafire Resort. The gala event with three-course meal will feature a guest speaker, panel discussion, musical entertainment, and an update on progress on local gender affairs policy. Tickets, priced $25, are available at the FRC;

●Saturday, 16 March – Mom and Daughter Movie ‘Misrepresentations’ PG-13, 2-4pm, Camana Bay Cinema;

●Sunday, 17 March – Colour Me Purple 5k Walk/Run, 6:30am, Seven Mile Beach;

● Wednesday, 20 March – Wellness Wednesday – art therapy session, 6pm, Family Resource Centre;  

●Friday, 22 March – Women in the Workplace – employability workshop (TBC) and

●Saturday, 23 March – The Power of Protection – Purple Dragon – self-defence session for women, 2-4pm, Purple Dragon Studio.

For further details, go to the FRC Facebook page, call 949-0006 or email frc@gov.ky

Tags: Department of Counselling Services, Family Resource Centre, Gender Affairs Unit, Honouring Women Month

Category: Community