11 women from across different government departments and 4 girls from local schools were all honoured by the Office of Gender Affairs for their contribution in climate change and disaster risk reduction management in the BVI.
The 11 women are Abby Christopher, Tessa Smith-Claxton, Angela Barnett-Penn, Pearline George, Atoya George, Argel Horton, Rozina Norris-Gumbs, Stacy-Ann Austin, Irene Smith, Melanie Daway and Sheniah Armstrong-Jones.
The four female students are Alexa Hodge and Hanan Bazaz of the Elmore Stoutt High School, Ashleigh Hearne of Cedar International and Sarah Ramdatt of the St. Georges Secondary School.
These students were previously selected as the winning entries of the ‘A Day with the Governor’ climate change video competition which was launched in October 2021.
Speaking during the ceremony which was held this morning in observance of Women’s International Day, Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone said the territory stands to rebuild much stronger with females at the head of the table.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Tasha Bertie also shared similar sentiments as the minister, adding that climate change globally is affecting females at a much larger percentage than males.
She said this phenomenon has transcended to the territory following the 2017 hurricanes of Irma and Maria which devastated the BVI.
The acting P.S added that these debilitating factors are the reasons why women and girls should be involved in the discourse of making decisions on climate change locally, regionally and internationally.
Viewers, that was the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Ms. Tasha Bertie.