‘Women must be afforded the same opportunities that men are afforded, without the bias’ |08 March 2022
“International Women’s Day (IWD) is observed yearly on March 8 across the world. It is an opportunity not only to celebrate women’s achievements but to also continue raising awareness to the challenges women face. In order to do that we must do more to understand the facets of a woman’s life.
“The Seychellois woman who went from house to house with heavy loads of washing on her head years ago is no different from the woman putting in the long hours at the office today to ensure that her family is fed, clothed and healthy.
Time has not changed who we are at the most basic of levels – carers and nurturers – and this is irrespective of whether we have children or not.
“The woman is an incredible creature – one filled with strength, resourcefulness, resilience and self-sacrifice for the betterment of those that she cares for and the world she inhabits.
“This year on International Women’s Day, the United Nations’ (UN) call is for ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’. As the Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (Ceps), we ask that the country give thought to the tomorrow that we want to create. The woman leads the way in many instances. She is one of the major players in forming tomorrow’s Seychellois society as mothers, grandmothers, sisters, friends, teachers, doctors, politicians, etc.
“We are proud to proclaim that Seychelles is a predominantly matriarchal society with strong women leading the way yet how do we explain that chauvinism towards women remains strong in many workplaces and in society at large?
How do we explain that some employers still hold motherhood against women as if it is a liability for their businesses?
“Our country needs to do better, rather than punishing women, perhaps even looking at employment laws to better empower women to fulfill their familial and work duties.
“In order to see that sustainable tomorrow become a reality, we must realise that women must be afforded the same opportunities that men are afforded, without the bias.
“Ceps wishes all women everywhere, a Happy International Women’s Day.”
Françoise Larue
Ceps chairperson