Women of Influence, a faith-based organisation that operates out of Central Corentyne, last Friday held a march and prayer session to mark the global observance of International Women’s Day.
Some 50 women, of all ages and ethnicities who belong to different denominations in the Christian faith, participated in the event, marching from the Albion Bridge to the entrance of the J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School and back before concluding at the Wesleyan Church in Rose Hall Town.
The march was aimed at celebrating the many achievements of women across the globe and at the same time raising awareness about the many issues affecting them in today’s society. During the one hour journey, the women proudly displayed their banner highlighting this year’s theme for International Women’s Day, “The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum” and proclaimed their right to equality. Following the march, the women assembled at the Wesleyan Church, where they prayed collectively for thirty minutes, interceding to God on each other’s behalf.
“We came out here to sensitise the public of the international observance and to stand in solidarity with women who are being abused and battered. They need to know they are not alone,” Cynthia Bender, spokesperson for the group said.
Bender went on to say that “violence against women is so rampant, you see it every day being reported on the television channels and in the newspapers,” but noted that women can change the statistics.
She strongly urged those who are in abusive relationships to “come out, reach out to support groups such as the Women of Influence or another FBO, NGO or government agency for help.”
She also opined that the issue of gender equality has gained momentum and substantiated her claim by saying “more and more women are becoming aware of their rights and are being empowered.
They are educating themselves and becoming professionals in almost every conceivable field.”
The Women of Influence organisation, which was founded on October 26, 2006, seeks to create an avenue where women can congregate to fellowship with one another and support each other.
The group meets two Tuesdays in every month and visits various parts of the country, conducting prison, children and women ministries. It also assists women in need and undertakes numerous charity projects.
This year was the second time the women staged a march on International Women’s Day. It had previously done so in 2011. It is the group’s desire to make the event an annual one.
