Health Update: Health Update: STATEMENT: Honourable Dr Cassandra Williams, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services on International Women’s Day (with audio) – What Experts Say– What Experts Say.
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Fellow Dominicans, warm greetings to each and every one of you. This week, as we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th, communities across Dominica are hosting a range of activities to honor and uplift women. I wish to sincerely thank the organizations, businesses, schools, NGOs and community groups that continue to make this week vibrant and meaningful.
Your efforts remind us that celebrating women and advancing equality is truly a shared responsibility. Over the years, we have seen a growing level of engagement and enthusiasm around this observance, and it is truly encouraging to see so many sectors of society coming together to honor women and promote gender equality. International Women’s Day gives us a moment to pause and reflect.
It allows us to celebrate the invaluable contributions of women in our homes, workplaces and communities, while also reminding us that the work of building a more equitable society must continue. This year’s United Nations theme, Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls, calls on us to ensure that women and girls everywhere can fully realize their rights and benefit from real progress toward equality. Similarly, the global campaign Give to Gain reminds us that progress does not happen by chance.
It is built through intentional action and collective effort. Here in Dominica, our national campaign theme is Our Giving, Our Progress, Collective Action for Balanced Progress. This message speaks deeply to who we are as a people.
As Dominicans, we understand that when we give to our families, our neighbors and our communities, we all move forward together. It reminds us that when we give, we progress, when we act, we progress, and when we support one another, we progress. Much of the strength of our nation has been built on these everyday acts of giving.
Women, in particular, continue to give of themselves daily as caregivers, mentors, leaders, workers and community builders. Their contributions, often quiet and unseen, help shape the resilient and compassionate society we are proud of today. As a pediatrician, I often say that it takes a village to raise a child.
No single person carries that responsibility alone. Families, teachers, health workers, neighbors and communities all play a role. At the same time, we cannot be oblivious to the realities of the world around us.
We are living in a time marked by global uncertainty, conflict and social and economic pressures. The world can feel overwhelming, and at times even frightening. However, if there is one lesson that history continues to teach us, it is that unity is our greatest strength.
Since last International Women’s Day, we have made meaningful progress in strengthening support systems for women and families in Dominica. One important step has been the revitalization of the Safe Housing Program for survivors of domestic violence, ensuring that women and families fleeing abuse have access to safe and dignified spaces. With the support of UN Women and CUSO International, we have also strengthened the government’s gender-based violence protocol, helping to improve how we respond to and support survivors during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
I must also express sincere appreciation to Lifeline Ministries, whose partnership with government continues to provide critical support and compassion to survivors. We are also working to further strengthen these systems by developing standard operating procedures to ensure more coordinated, survivor-centered services across the country. In keeping with this year’s theme of giving and collective progress, I am pleased to announce two important initiatives being implemented with the support of UN Women.
These initiatives will strengthen gender response, social protection and economic empowerment. First, we will improve the collection and use of gender data to better understand and recognize the value of unpaid care and domestic work, which is so often carried by women but rarely measured. Second, we will pilot targeted support for women receiving public assistance, including improved access to child care, skills training and health services to strengthen their economic resilience.
These efforts reflect our belief that when we support families, value care and invest in women, we create stronger communities and a stronger nation. While we celebrate our progress, we must remain committed to the work ahead. As Minister responsible for Social Services and Gender Affairs, I reaffirm my commitment to strengthening our national response to gender-based violence, particularly for vulnerable groups such as young women and single mothers.
To every woman and survivor listening today, I want you to know you are not alone. We see you, we hear you and we stand ready to support you. As we continue implementing the Family Law Act of 2023, our focus will be on ensuring that citizens understand their rights and that the laws translate into real protection and support for families, women and children.
Our vision is clear. A Dominica where women and men, girls and boys live with dignity, safety and equal opportunity to thrive. A balanced Dominica is one where opportunities are inclusive, protection systems are strong and progress reaches every community.
As part of Women’s Week, the Ministry will also host a brunch and dialogue mobilising resources for gender-responsive community development, bringing together community leaders and partners to explore practical ways to advance gender equality at the community level. This conversation reflects our belief that lasting change happens when communities themselves are engaged in shaping progress. As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, I encourage each of us to honour a woman in our lives, whether a mother, a sister, a mentor, a colleague or community leader who gives of herself daily for the good of others.
Let us continue to give, let us continue to support one another and together through collective action let us continue building balanced progress for all. Happy International Women’s Day.
Please listen to audio below: