Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, is imploring all relevant stakeholders to invest in women and girls by prioritising a gender-responsive budget.
She said that such investment is imperative in promoting progress, igniting change, and shaping a future where every woman and girl can thrive.
I encourage you to invest not only in women’s potential but also in their power -the power to lead, to innovate, to inspire, and to transform. Let us build a world where all women and girls are valued, respected, and empowered to shape their present and future, she said.
Minister Grange was speaking at the International Women’s Day (IWD) Banner Event held recently at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.
She noted that investing in women is not only beneficial to a country’s government but the economy.
Citing data from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), she said that such expenditure not only promotes greater employment and income but also leads to sustainable economic growth in sectors such as health and education where women generally spend more income.
Ms. Grange said that as Minister with responsibility for gender equality, she is heartened to witness first-hand, the transformative impact of investing in women and girls in leadership roles.
From boardrooms to classrooms, from corridors of power to corridors of innovation, women are not only taking the lead in many sectors; they are also shaping the narrative of our times. Their voices, once silenced, now resonate with authority and wisdom. Their presence, once marginalised, now commands respect and admiration. Their contributions, once undervalued, now drive the engine of progress, the Minister said.
She said that for every woman who has achieved success, there are countless others waiting for their chance to shine.
For every girl who defies expectations, there are millions more yearning for the opportunity to realise their aspirations, and it is our collective responsibility, our solemn duty, to ensure that no woman or girl is left behind – that every door is open, every pathway clear, and every opportunity within reach, she said.
Together, let us accelerate progress, not just for the sake of women and girls but for the sake of humanity itself. For when we invest in women, we invest in the future – a future that is more just, more equitable, and more prosperous for all, Minister Grange added.
