International theme ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’

International Women’s Day honours a truth we live every day—that women and girls are essential to the success and progress of our society. Promoting opportunities for women and girls strengthen security, stability, and prosperity for everyone. In order to overcome the greatest challenges of our time, we cannot afford to leave half the population behind.

Investing in women is what we are celebrating today. This year we commemorate International Women’s Day under the United Nation’s International theme ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’. To heighten this voice let us spread our support on our social platforms by using the hashtag #investinwomen.

Let us reflect on how we can continuously empower women whilst encouraging women to invest in themselves for the betterment of the Seychellois society, specifically for ourselves, our families and our economic well-being.
Investing in women has a powerful impact on the society. Women and girls makes half of the population, thus investing in access to education, reproductive health services, financial assets and entrepreneurial opportunities, and support for women in leadership and decision-making positions are a socio-economic plus for the country.

This theme reminds us that a concerted effort is required to encourage our girls and women to challenge themselves to succeed, and at the same time, provide a conducive environment in which they can thrive while pursuing their dreams.

This certainly calls for gender-responsive budgeting and accessible funding which can help drive investments in policies and programmes that respond to women and girls’ needs. But it also calls for so much more. We need a holistic approach.

There is also the need to drive women’s inclusion in finance and business, digital technologies, peacebuilding and climate action. Given the collective nature of the endeavor, we must also support women’s organizations on the front line for this.

I remain confident in the abilities of our women and on this International Women’s Day, wish all of them a happy and blessed day.