Happy International Women’s Day! #ChooseToChallenge
The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) joins the rest of the world in observing International Women’s Day 2021 under the theme, “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”. International Women’s Day celebrates the social, political, and economic achievements of women while focusing on areas requiring further action, particularly as it relates to accelerating gender equality.
The past year has been a challenging one. The COVID-19 pandemic threatened many lives, and it exacerbated existing inequalities between women and men in many aspects of life. Women employed in the healthcare and social care sectors have been on the frontlines tackling the pandemic while simultaneously undertaking greater responsibilities at home. Women employed in retail, hospitality, and domestic sectors were also affected at the onset of the crisis as such jobs could not be done remotely. Further, women continue to experience intimate partner violence at an alarming rate. While women play a significant role in keeping our communities together, more must be done to eliminate the systemic barriers that impede them from equal participation in all areas of life.
In order to meet worldwide development goals, women must be encouraged, empowered, and supported in becoming strong political and community leaders. Women and girls across cultural, social, economic, and political situations must be represented and involved in decision-making as equals.
No country can prosper without the participation of women. The social and economic benefits of inclusion and fair representation far outweigh the consequences of marginalization, discrimination, and inequality. A society that gives equal opportunity to women, men, youth, and minorities ultimately reaps the rewards of equity, justice, participation, prosperity, reduced poverty, stability, and transformation.
Ending discrimination, gender bias, and gender inequalities will require the collective effort of decision-makers, opinion leaders, private sector and informed citizenry. In keeping with the UN Women’s #GenerationEquality campaign, the GCCI invites all to join us in supporting efforts to empower women. We support the call for equal pay, an end to sexual harassment and all forms of violence against women and girls, healthcare services that respond to women’s needs, and their equal participation in political life and decision-making in all areas of life.
Let us all #ChooseToChallenge and work together to build an equal future.
