International Women's Day 2017 will be celebrated tomorrow, March 8, under the theme “Be Bold for Change.”
The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development has planned several activities throughout the month of March to bring attention to women's issues. As part of the occasion, the ministry is calling on women, and Saint Lucians as a whole, to wear purple on March 8 in a show of solidarity. Purple is designated as the official colour of International Women’s Day, as it symbolizes justice and dignity which relates to women’s equality.
Minister responsible for Gender Relations, Hon. Dr. Gale Rigobert, has echoed the call to wear purple.
“We need to show, especially in the times that we are living in today, where women strive every day, that we care about some of the unique issues that affect women in our society,” she said. “Women all over the world and here at home in Saint Lucia are still fighting for their voices to be heard; from the little girls growing up, to struggling mothers, to women in the business world, to the women who have been victims of violent crime, and also for the women we have lost their lives to violent crime. We need to show that we are in solidarity with all women.”
The minister has also invited persons to share photos on social media of themselves wearing purple using the hashtag #beboldforchange, in order to bring even more attention to the cause.