Gracita: ‘We must work harder
to protect and invest in our girls’
PHILIPSBURG--Founder of Peridot Foundation Gracita Arrindell last night appealed for more attention to be paid to protecting St. Maarten’s “young girls.”
Her appeal was made in a press release issued to coincide with today’s observance of International Women’s Day under the theme “Investing in Women and Girls.”
“There are still too many cases of our young girls being raped, exposed or exploited sexually and emotionally. Just read the papers. We must work harder to protect our girls and invest consistently in their well-being. Investing in young girls today means building and empowering strong women for tomorrow,” Arrindell said.
She stressed that “neglecting our young girls today, means destroying a potential leader of the future.”
Arrindell also used the opportunity to extend “warm wishes to all women in St. Maarten in celebration of International Women’s Day” and explained that the official United Nations theme is a “strong reminder of the many issues still facing our nation today including the need to protect, educate and strengthen the self- esteem of many of our young girls from all walks of life
She said that one should take a moment to consider the fact that the female gender comprises more than 50 per cent of the St. Maarten society, and one would realise the extent of the potential loss of future doctors, teachers, police officers, artists, and public servants that would result from neglecting St. Maarten’s women and young girls.
“Let us make an effort and start where it matters most. Invest in your home and make it a safe and caring environment for our daughters and sons to grow up, no matter how humble. Their home is their castle,” added Arrindell who is also Leader of the People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA)
Arrindell noted that investing in women is a continuous effort worldwide and pledged that Peridot Foundation will continue to work tirelessly with other non-profit organisations “for the advancement of our women in general and in particular towards bringing about awareness of eradication of violence against women and children in St, Maarten and in the world.”
She also encouraged the public to participate in this morning’s “Solidarity Walk” from the Emilio Wilson Park to Fort Amsterdam that was scheduled to start at 5:30am and to attend the ‘In the company of Women’ production: ‘The Vagina Monologues St. Martin to be held on Monday, March 10, at the Philipsburg Cultural and Community Centre starting with a cocktail party at 7:00pm followed by the premiere at 8:00pm.
