PHILIPSBURG:--- The President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell would like to congratulate the country's women on the occasion of International Women's Day, Saturday, March 8.
"Equality for women is progress for all. I fully agree with the theme. We must celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of our country.
"As the first President and first female President of Parliament, our highest legislative government institution, I'm both honoured and humbled to be able to serve my country.
"Grateful as a woman to serve firmly and steadfast in a field where equality for women is taken for granted, it is a fact that more women are in formerly male dominated professions such as Police Force, Coast Guard, Army, Military, and professional car racing.
"In spite of these great strides, internationally, locally more women should aspire to be part of the political decision-making process. Most women in Sint Maarten receive equal pay for equal work. An achievement fought for by courageous women in the 20th century.
"Regrettably, the numbers represented in both Parliament as well as in Government (Council of Ministers), is vastly under represented. I'm convinced that more women represented in the political decision process, will improve the quality of life of the community we represent.
"We must play homage and honour those who have fought for the rights that we enjoy today as women. Leveling the playing field between genders is and should remain on the social agenda of our community.
"I therefore take this opportunity to wish all Sint Maarten women across the spectrum a happy and joyful International Women's Day," President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell said on Friday.
This year's theme, "Equality for women is progress for all," emphasizes how gender equality, empowerment of women, women's full enjoyment of human rights and the eradication of poverty are essential to economic and social development.
It also stresses the vital role of women as agents of development.
On the eve of International Women's Day, the United Nations has launched the "He for She" campaign urging men to stand up for their rights of their mothers, sisters and daughters, while top UN officials stressed that human rights for girls and women are not a dream but a duty of all.
"I fully support this campaign launched today at the UN Headquarters in New York City, and I call on our men in our communities to indeed stand up for the rights of all women.
"Women's rights are human rights, and women's progress is human progress, and as a great woman, the former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton once said and I quote, 'human rights are women's rights and women's rights are human rights, once and for all.'