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MINISTER’S MESSAGE FOR IWD

Message by The Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs in celebration of International Women’s Day, March 8, 2023

My fellow Barbadians, it is indeed a pleasure to bring remarks, as Barbados joins with the International Community and the rest of the world in celebrating International Women’s Day 2023. I fi rst of all would like to wish all women a Happy International Women’s Day, wherever they are around the world. As we celebrate this special day in the lives of women, I am cognisant that we are in the month of March, and into celebrating the Month of the Disabled. I therefore extend hearty wishes for a successful month of celebrations to all of those persons with disabilities.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”, focuses on the use of innovation and technology to empower women and girls and, by extension, bring about gender equality. This theme is closely aligned to that for this year’s United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meeting in March in New York, which is “Innovation and Technological Change and Education in the Digital Age for Achieving Gender Equality and the Empowerment of all Women and Girls”.

While women in Barbados have made significant progress in several areas of endeavour, this theme reminds us that we must seek to pay attention to the digital divide that disproportionately affects women and girls.

The central tenant of this particular theme is that women and girls are the most negatively affected by the digital divide and that efforts must be made to ensure that the empowerment of women and girls in the digital space should be a priority of countries around the world. While innovation and technology are essential for the empowerment of our women and girls, access must be the starting point buttressed by knowledge and skills to take full advantage of the opportunities and be supported by economic affordability.

Prior to the advent of the COVID 19 Pandemic, the world was already on a path to charting a new way of existence. Persons were accessing a number of social platforms and people were relating to and communicating with each other in ways they had never imagined possible. The age of technological existence was upon us in full and there was the belief that everyone was benefi tting from and making use of the technological advancements. However, the COVID 19 Pandemic demonstrated that this was untrue and that the digital divide, that gap between those who had access to the technology and those who did not, was indeed a reality and that everyone was not in a position to enjoy the benefi ts of the technology.

The empowerment of women and girls through information technology must begin with the ability to access the technology. As a country, we should make all efforts to provide the necessary avenues for women and girls to be able to have access to the technology and therefore to digital spaces. \

During COVID 19, the Government of Barbados through the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training led the way by providing devices to students through the distribution of tablets to various schools around the island. In addition, a number of private companies responded to the call for assistance in equipping students with tablets so they were not left behind.

This is an effort which should be encouraged even in the post-pandemic period. It was refreshing to see that a number of community based organisations, communities and individuals played a role in providing digital access to students who would not have had the opportunity thereby reducing the digital divide.

Our efforts at providing the technology for the empowerment of women and girls must also include the most marginalised populations. It is incumbent on us as a Government and a people to ensure that the less fortunate among us are provided with the devices and appropriate training which allows them to be part of the digital revolution. Through the implementation of the Community Technology Programme, the Government is seeking to provide universal digital literacy for educational and employment purposes which attracted a significant number of women and girls.

I commend the NGOs’ and the Community Based Organisations who are working to enhance the technological capacity of their membership. In this vein, I wish to acknowledge the Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) for their work to ensure that the elderly had access to and were trained in technology as well as the Barbados Council for the Disabled for the training programs made available for persons with disabilities. We wish to also thank all the civil society organisations for their work in seeking to enhance and transform the lives of women and girls in Barbados.

The Government has sought to reduce digital inequalities and enhance the economic empowerment of women through Trust Loans and Fund Access Programmes which equip micro and small businesses with the skills necessary to perform in a digital environment.

Even as we advocate for the use of technology for all, it must not be used to exploit or abuse women and girls. We recognise that online gender based violence is real and regrettably becoming more prevalent. We therefore call upon parents and guardians to keep a mindful watch and closely monitor their children’s social media and wider online activity. This country must have a zero tolerance approach to gender based violence in all its forms.

The Government will continue to have conversations with service providers to provide low cost access to technology for all which would benefit women and girls who have been marginalised by lack of access. A prime example of innovation to allow access to digital spaces is through the expanding provision of free Wi-Fi access in the city of Bridgetown.

It is in that spirit of caring and sharing that I want to once again wish all Barbados a Happy International Women’s Day!

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Remembrance Day Parade On November 10, 2024

Barbados will remember the servicepeople who lost their lives during World Wars I and II, with the customary Remembrance Day Parade and a short inter-denominational service at the Cenotaph, National Heroes Square, The City, on Sunday, November 10.

The parade will commence at 8:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live on national television and radio.

Several armed and unarmed uniformed groups will be on parade, including the Barbados Defence Force, The Barbados Police Service, the Barbados Legion, the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Prison Service, the Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides.

Wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph by the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Chief Justice Leslie Haynes, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.

The service will be followed by an informal inspection of veterans and a march-past by uniformed groups. Members of the public desirous of attending the event are asked to collect tickets from the receptionist at Government Headquarters, Bay Street, St. Michael, from Monday, November 4, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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Key Reminders When Considering Investment Opportunities

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is reminding the public to exercise caution when considering investments in Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes. While MLMs may present themselves as legitimate business opportunities, some can be risky or even illegal, leading to significant financial losses.

Here are some key things to consider before making any investments:

1. Research the Company/Person(s): Thoroughly investigate the background, business model, and reputation of any of the company or persons involved. Verify whether the company or persons associated with the investment are registered and regulated by relevant authorities like the Financial Services Commission.

2. Understand the Business Model: Genuine businesses generate revenue primarily through the sale of products or services, not recruitment of participants. Be wary of models that emphasise recruitment over product sales.

3. Check for Red Flags: Promises of high returns with little effort, emphasis on recruiting others, or pressure to make large upfront investments are warning signs.

4. Consult with Experts: Seek advice based on your financial goals and wherewithal from regulated individuals or companies set up to provide such guidance.

The public is urged to approach all investment opportunities with caution and conduct their due diligence to safeguard their financial well-being.

It is an offence for persons not registered or licensed with the Commission to offer investment advice, sell financial products or deal in securities.

The public is encouraged to notify the Commission of any situations where entities or individuals engage in these practices without being duly registered and/or licensed. (PR/GIS)

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Barbadians Continue To Benefit From UNESCO Training In Cuba

Barbadians continue to benefit from UNESCO training courses in Cuba, despite the country experiencing an island-wide blackout from Friday, October 18.

Three Barbadians are currently in Cuba participating in the Caribbean Cultural Training Hub of the UNESCO Programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, which was organised by the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, and funded by the European Union.

Historian and Genealogical Researcher, Stacia Martindale, is participating in the course Designing Small Businesses in Heritage Tourism Destinations, while Landscape Architectural Technician, Kodi Husbands, and Assistant Coordinator and Researcher of the Barbados National Register of Historic Places, Rhianna Smith, are participating in the course Introduction to the Management of Integrated Development of Historic Centers.

They shared their experiences of being in Cuba and about the courses they are studying.

Ms. Martindale said: “So far, the experience has been very amazing. I’ve been loving the culture of Cuba and the general experience in class.

It’s really been exciting for me. It’s my first time in Cuba. I think I know quite a bit about Cuba just because I’m really interested in History. I’m actually a History teacher, so to come here, where that history has happened, is really, really exciting for me.”

Mr. Husbands, who is on his second visit to Cuba, shared that the first time he visited was on a vacation. “It really resonated with me. I got to understand the culture a lot more [and] I was able to identify with the people after speaking to them about their experiences and how they live. That’s what inspired me to continue working in sustainable architecture and design, and cater for society and the people, rather than doing it for money.

“So far, I’ve found different methods or techniques and practices which can be useful for back home in my field of architecture. And different ways I can further develop my country, whether it’s towns like Bridgetown, Speightstown, or Oistins. Or even smaller communities like in the East Coast, or in St. George or more rural areas as well,” he remarked.

It is also the second time for Ms. Smith, who previously benefitted from a course in June, this year, at the prestigious International Film and Television School of San Antonio de Los Baños, on the outskirts of Havana.

“This experience has been a lot different compared to when I was in San Antonio. Havana is a lot more active and has a lot more to see. And so, I’ve been able to immerse in the culture in ways that I was not able to the first time around,” Ms. Smith said.

She added: “We have been having some tours where we have been seeing examples of not only the restoration of historic sites and buildings, but also the repurposing of those buildings for uses that really fit the community. For instance, earlier this week we visited a daycare. But it was a day care for the elderly which doubles as a day care for babies, and so on.

“And so, what they are trying to do is to integrate those two generations and, of course, develop a consciousness of caring for the elderly. Things like that have led me to conclude that it’s been nothing short of inspiring so far, and I’m just looking forward to seeing where things go.” (PR/GIS)

Caption: From left to right – Rhianna Smith, Barbados’ Ambassador to Cuba, Dr. Sharon Marshall; UNESCO Director Anne Lemaistre; Stacia Martindale; and Kodi Husbands pose for a photograph