By Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Division Director for the Caribbean

During one of my visits to Sint Maarten, I spoke with a woman who works as a taxi driver. She had once held a job at a highly seasonal hotel, leaving her with little or no income during the off-season and few opportunities to increase her earnings. Determined to change her situation, she moved into the transport sector, starting out as a taxi driver. She worked long hours during the high season, saved money, and later rented an additional vehicle and hired another driver. Today, she operates two vehicles in addition to her own, with plans to expand. She is dreaming of a house and sending her kids to college.

Over the years, during my visits to Sint Maarten, I have met women like her repeatedly; women who create opportunities for themselves. They are willing to learn new things, take risks, and continue, even when things are hard.

This determination is visible not only in households and small businesses, but also in public life. Today, women hold nearly half of the seats in Sint Maarten’s Parliament - around 46.7 percent - reflecting how widely women are stepping into leadership roles across the island.

The leadership women bring across the island is among Sint Maarten's greatest strengths and a clear economic advantage. Evidence consistently shows that companies with gender-diverse leadership are more likely to outperform others, and closing gender gaps in employment could raise global GDP by more than 20 percent.

Political representation, however, does not automatically translate into broad-based economic opportunity. Many women continue to face constraints that limit their ability to expand businesses, increase incomes, or access capital. Barriers to finance, professional networks, and supportive services still shape how fully their economic potential can be realized.

For a small island economy like Sint Maarten, the implications are particularly significant. With a small population, few sources of economic activity, and exposure to natural shocks, growth depends on making full use of existing talent. When more women are able to earn higher incomes, invest, and grow their businesses, productivity rises, and households become more resilient in times of uncertainty.

This is why women’s economic participation is embedded in the World Bank’s work in Sint Maarten. Through the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, financed by the Government of the Netherlands and managed by the World Bank in partnership with the Government of Sint Maarten, our support in the years following Hurricane Irma went beyond rebuilding homes and critical infrastructure. It also focused on restoring livelihoods, helping small businesses reopen and grow, and giving people the practical skills needed to turn ideas into income. Women were given particular attention in this work. 

And the results show how strongly women responded when opportunities were made available.

Through the Emergency Income Support and Training Project, people received temporary income support and practical training to help them find work and resume earning. More than 1,900 people participated in the program, and over 70 percent were women, highlighting both the extent to which the crisis affected women’s employment and their readiness to re-enter the labor market.

The Trust Fund has also provided more than US$19.3 million to over 300 small businesses on the island, and 124 of those were led by women. With this financing, women have opened bakeries, catering services, neighborhood shops, and businesses as diverse as mushroom production. These enterprises are now employing others and keeping economic activity rooted locally. They have also received tailored training and coaching in financial literacy and core business skills, from planning and marketing to tax compliance, giving them the tools to grow sustainably.

This progress matters. It means more women can move beyond subsistence and begin planning for growth, just like the taxi driver I spoke with.

Building on this progress, the priority in Sint Maarten is to expand what works: increasing access to finance, strengthening the link between skills and jobs, and creating support systems that enable people to balance care responsibilities with paid work.

These are the investments that will allow more women, and the island as a whole, to keep moving forward.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Collective Prevention Service (CPS) is encouraging everyone to participate in its “The Lifestyle Shift Campaign,” which will take place on Tuesday, April 7, World Health Day (WHD).

It will be a healthy and engaging afternoon of group fitness activities starting at 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Vineyard Office Building, W.G. Buncamper Rd. #33 parking lot at the head of town. A number of vendors will also be on-site with wellness information/lifestyle tips, products, services, healthy snacks and hydration.

Participants can get additional information by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +1 721 542-1570.

Participants will also have the opportunity to partake in a free health screening session that covers glucose, blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure.

Be there to experience the shift you've always wanted. Gain firsthand exercise tips and health information that you can apply to your daily routine.

World Health Day 2025 will be observed on Tuesday, April 7th under the theme “Together for health. Stand with science.”

#KnowYourNumbers #yourhealthmatters #YourHealthIsOurPriority #WHD2026

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Fire Department is calling on the community to be safe this Easter holiday weekend that kicks off from Friday, April 3rd until and including Monday, April 6th.

Many people will be heading to the beach for various watersports activities and having a funday with family and friends. Safety should always be a concern.

Keep a watchful eye on young children whether they can or cannot swim; make sure that their flotation devices are in proper working condition. Tragic water events can happen quickly.  

Pay attention to senior family members who are swimming.  The beach can be fun and an enjoyable experience, so it’s up to you to stay safe.

Watch out for strong water currents. Stay in shallow water.

Exercise safe cooking practices in the kitchen to prevent kitchen fires and burn injuries.  While at the beach barbecuing, pay keen attention that young children are not close by.

After a successful BBQ, don’t forget to clean up all utensils, bottles, cans, paper plates, napkins and plastic cups from your family/friend Easter holiday beach experience and properly dispose of them in a garbage bin. Once coals have been completely extinguished, remove them so the beach environment is returned to its original state. 

Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children this Easter holiday weekend.

The Fire Department wishes all a safe and happy Easter holiday weekend.

The Fire Department falls under the Ministry of General Affairs.

In the event of a fire emergency, call 919.

Simpson Bay:---  Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) hosted its very first Glow-in-the-Dark Egg Hunt on Saturday evening, bringing together airport employees for a unique and festive Easter celebration on the runway.

 With Easter right around the corner, Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) is embracing the festive spirit with activities for both the community and its employees. In celebration of the season, a large Easter Bunny has been placed outside the terminal, inviting the community to stop by and capture memorable photos. In the evenings, the installation lights up, creating an even more vibrant and picture-perfect moment for visitors.

As part of the internal celebrations, PJIAE hosted its very first “Glow-in-the-Dark Egg Hunt” on Saturday evening, held outdoors on the airport’s runway. Organized by the internal event committee, the event brought together employees in a fun and unique setting, encouraging team bonding and a shared sense of community.

The evening was filled with excitement, laughter, and friendly competition, as colleagues enjoyed a creative twist on a classic Easter tradition.

“Creating moments like these allows us to connect beyond the workplace and celebrate together as one team,” said Bermyle Davis, HR People Operations Officer and organizer of the event. “It was truly rewarding to see everyone come together and enjoy such a special experience.”

PJIAE remains committed to fostering a positive and engaging work environment, while also creating moments that connect with the wider community. We would like to wish everyone a joyful Easter filled with happiness, quality time, and meaningful moments with family and loved ones, just as we celebrated with our airport family.