St Kitts and Nevis: Ministry of Agriculture honours women for their support, contribution

St Kitts and Nevis: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, on March 8, 2022 (Tuesday), the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources celebrated the hardworking and pioneering women for their contributions to the sector.

During this event, many department ministers, including Maritza Queeley and Delesha Huggins, have been honoured for technical and administrative support in the Marine Resources and Livestock Division of Agriculture Department, respectively. Other honourees were: Francella Stephens – Fish Farming; Ordis Richards – Meat Trading; Cabinet Secretary, Josephine Huggins – Horticulture; Alberta Thompson – Market Vending; Deborah Davis – Crop Farming; Roberta Rawlins – Agro Processing; Catherine Pemberton – Livestock Farming.

Catherine Pemberton won the Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources, Ron Dublin-Collins, mentioned, “Today is a celebration of our women, and I extend congratulations to all our women in agriculture, fisheries and agro-processing. I offer congratulations to our recipients of the 2022 Women’s Awards in the Agriculture and Fisheries sector.”

Collins further added, “Gender equality and women’s empowerment are at the core of our efforts to enhance agriculture. We know that enabling women to have equal access to opportunities and services in this sector is not only a matter of justice, it is also one of the most effective strategies for reforming and enhancing the sector.”

The permanent secretary added that our women must also realize production increases as farmers, fishers and agro-processors.

He further outlined the event’s main objective, which was celebrated under the local theme – “Advancing Women in Agriculture and Fisheries”. This year, International Women’s Day was celebrated under the theme – “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.”

The Permanent secretary further mentioned that the forum would review the team’s work in 2022 and monitor that the government has been working according to the schedule. “It seeks to contribute to our vision to build, to support and to sustain a vibrant agricultural community renowned for innovation, collaboration and with a focus on women and youth”.

“Through this forum, the ministry is ensuring women’s work and contribution will not go unnoticed. We understand the vital link between gender, social equity and climate change and recognize that without gender equality today, a sustainable future and an equal future for all will be out of reach.”