Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer
Left: Prime Minister-designate Portia Simpson Miller,
Right:
Amina Blackwood Meeks in performance at the International Women's Day celebration. It was held at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Hope Road on Wednesday, March 8. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
THE HIGHLIGHT of the International Women's Day Rally was Prime Minister-designate Portia Simpson Miller's address. Her message echoed throughout the Ranny Williams' Entertainment Centre, Wednesday evening, as she stressed that under her leadership the main focus will be love, peace, unity and harmony.
Mrs. Simpson Miller noted that she would be working closely with the security forces to ensure that everyone would feel free to walk the streets. "But let me say to you Portia alone will not do it. It's going to take the effort, the support of everyone and I intend to engage Jamaicans in the this process of Government and governance."
The various women in attendance also signalled that the rally was an event of togetherness. The Rastafarians, church leaders and those from various women's groups such as Americans Women's Group (AWG), Women's Crisis Centre, Woman Inc., Women's Media Watch, Association of Women Organisation in Jamaica (AWOJA) and the Bureau of Women's Affairs were present.
Mrs. Simpson-Miller noted that when she begins leadership, gender justice would also be a priority. "As your leader and Prime Minister I want you to understand that I am going to be demanding justice and gender justice too."
And, as if to enforce her arguments for equality, Mrs. Simpson Miller invited several Jamaican female stalwarts on stage. These included: Hydel principal Hyacinth Bennett, former Bureau of Women's Affairs head, Glenda Simms, Senator Prudence Kidd-Deans, broadcaster/actress Fae Ellington, consultant/ businesswoman Dr. Blossom O'Meally-Nelson, restaurateur, Yvonne Hope, female Rastafarians, 'grass roots' women, and women from poor communities on stage to share a hug.
SPIRIT
"The most important thing to me right now is to see the uptown women embracing the women from poor communities I love, I love it, I love it. This is the spirit I want across the country where all of us no matter gender, no matter class, all of us will embrace each other and live together in peace, in love and in unity."
Mrs. Simpson Miller who had sprinted on stage clad in a brown pant suit, to give the main address commended the women's groups. She gave a brief history of International Women's Day where women at the turn of the 20th century decided to take a stance against sex segregated jobs and gender inequality. "This day is in honour of women who took a stand against the inhumane treatment and brutal exploitation of some of the poorest and most marginalised in their society."
In her message the men were not left out. She commended the fathers who were playing their roles and beckoned delinquent fathers to be supportive to their children.
"I want to encourage the men who are not yet giving that kind of support to get on board and begin to give support to their children not only by the money that they might be able to offer but to be involved in the lives of their children."
