Making women winners is hardwired into our organisational DNA. In fact, it’s our motto. So, every year, it gives us a great thrill to support, honour and bring women together in recognition of International Women’s Day. Especially for this year’s theme— #EmbraceEquity.
The Association of Female Executives of Trinidad and Tobago (AFETT) recognises and celebrates the achievements of women within our community as well as those who have paved the way for our path of accomplishment throughout history and across cultures.
While we make strides towards equity, it is important to also recognise the engagement and empowerment of women to further progress our societal endeavours and goals. In addition, we advocate for a more widespread understanding that equity is different to equality. Equity ensures that all persons are provided with sufficient resources to ensure success, rather than an equal distribution of those assets.
It is essential that as a nation we support, encourage and involve women in various fields in embracing equity. As an organisation, we believe that women empowering women is key to achieving success in major initiatives to reduce the economic gender divide and to enhance the inclusion of women in leadership roles. It is also imperative we recognise that all persons have a role to play in effecting a more equitable distribution of resources. Our view is that both women and men will reap the benefits of an empowered and progressive generation with the elimination of entrenched structural and societal gender inequality.
As changemakers ourselves, we’ve had a firsthand view to note that when women are supported to use their voices, we become powerful change catalysts. Women are truly efficient and effective agents of progress when given the opportunity and resources to positively contribute.
Globally, it has been estimated that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita would be higher if gender employment gaps were closed. In addition, estimated economic gains if women started and scaled new businesses at the same rate as their male counterparts conservatively ranges in the amount of USD 5–6 trillion.
Equitable female empowerment is more than a ‘nice to have’ option for development checklists.
As an organisation, it is one of our mandates to promote the importance of empowering women and girls to achieve success. Thus, we have strategically established projects, such as our REACH mentorship programme, to support young women in discovering the power of purpose in the use of their voices. Also, in recognition of International Women’s Day, we honour the achievements of local women via our annual Women of Influence Awards and Mentorship Celebration.
Although AFETT acknowledges the globally significant strides that have contributed towards female equity, as well as in the fight to empower and uplift women, there is still work to be done.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day this year, we invite the nation to join us, and fully embrace the immense potential of women to build a better world.
President, AFETT with thanks to our Team.
The Digital Gender Divide
Mary Cuffy
Now is the hour of digital power,
Look at she using digital technology,
To build peace and reduce gender inequality,
Once confined to the home and marketplace,
Using smartphones smartly,
Using the internet not to just surf the net,
But to facilitate and accommodate.
How can she with tremendous promise serve the international community?
With widening access to technology,
Reducing social barriers and boosting the economy?
Her finger is her voice, using the internet not to just surf the net,
Let’s welcome her proficiency in 2023.
Global attention is the centre of her dissertation,
Moving the attention from only social communication via WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram
To meeting influencers over the diaspora,
Using the internet not to just surf the net.
Since the evolution there was a revolution,
To revolutionise the platform with a trending hashtag for #gender equality,
The pendulum swung and now we singing a new song,
Let’s talk inclusion in civil society,
She not using the internet to just surf the net.
Let’s put this in history we not no global average, we savage,
Look at she in 2023 using the tools with proficiency,
Addressing global issues and political disparities,
Creating content to make other women aware that digital media has
economic power,
She not using the internet to just surf the net.