FROM THE DESK OF THE ARCHBISHOP AND APOSTOLIC HEAD

Sir Dr. Godfrey Gregg

Over a hundred years ago, women and men  took to the streets to rally for women’s economic, social and political rights and to rally for injustice and equality for all. Today, we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 to honour these women and continue to fight for change.

In developed countries and more so in “third world” countries, women still bear most of the burden of poverty, and violence. The conflicts and violence and even industrialized countries continue to engaged in child labour and mostly girls.  The wealth of a nation does not exclude it from allegations of rape and sexual violence in the workplace. Once too much is too often and should be stop. No country is excluded and I am calling on the Governments to intervene now and save our women that fall prey to the hands of wicked men.

How often do we acknowledge the bravery of these women despite the stains of ugliness of rape and violence. The unshakable faith to continue to raise a family and keep a community together. Our mothers, daughters and sisters continue to give us hope. Even in the midst of wars in Syria, Afghanistan and the conflicts in Venezuela,  Iraq, Libya and recently Ukraine.  The women despite their protected religious beliefs are leading the battles for deliverance and a better way of life for other women.  Their courage gave us hope to continue the fight for peace.

This is not just a struggle for women, but for all to build up real families of which the women are truly the backbone. However, women feel and have the sense of urgency in building peace.  It is on our shoulders that violence is fought for the safety of our children and grand children.

It is possible for women to build peace everywhere. There would be no accomplishment without the involvement of women from the start to finish. Their involvement does not end with the fall of a wicked regime,  and so their work must continue. This is no longer a man’s world and it is time to allow women to take the lead. For any change to take place and be effective our mothers, wives,  sisters and daughters must be involved to make our societies and communities more livable.

I look to Trinidad and Tobago as a woman leads the Government.  In St. Vincent and the Grenadines a woman is the deputy leader in Government,  but more can be done at the decision making. I must mention that only one woman sits among the many men in Cabinet.  St. Lucia have placed a woman to lead the Opposition ad so in Barbados.  A woman leads the Government  in Jamaica.  There is need for more women in the Caribbean to come to the forefront and fight publicly. It is time to stop the under-representation of women in Government in the Caribbean. While women make up more than half the population in Caricom it is time for you to act, and the time is now. As Caricom meets in St. Vincent and the Grenadines I trust that awareness is made to high light the struggles of women in the region which includes

This International Women’s Day, we rally again for women to meaningfully participate in the political process. A hundred years ago, women were denied some of the fundamental things like the right to vote; today, women occupy some of  the highest positions in national government in the Caribbean, South America, the United States of America, Europe and Africa; but more must be done.  Our struggles, aims and goals today to end conflict is just as achievable.

Let us continue the work to right the wrong and let women take their rightful place in the communities and societies the live and serve. The Mystical Order of Spiritual Baptist Inc. realized the struggles and from inception women were incorporated into the full affairs of the Ministry. May I say that when we take humans out of the struggle and replace it with politics your answer is FAILURE. You cannot complete the struggle without women and I urge all countries to include women in your struggles. It is only fair and equal to end the injustice that women continue to suffer at the hands of men. when ever a person is oppressed, neglected, abused, or even excluded from the basic rights to survive. It is people that feel these things and not the political persuasions, or political parties of some sort of ideology. This is the time to STOP THE INEQUALITY AND INJUSTICE TO WOMEN.

Please give women the tools to work with so they can rebuild their lives and their families. That way communities and societies will be restored. My Patriarch, Clergy and members of The Mystical Order of Spiritual Baptist Inc. and our Affiliate Churches join me and celebrate these women, and the work they are doing for peace. Let us  make their voices heard.

HAPPY WOMEN DAY