UNFPA SURINAME, BREAKING THE BIAS BY UNITING WOMEN

On March 14, 2022, in commemoration of International Women's Day 2022, the second edition of the United Women Seminar was conducted in the Ballroom of Royal Torarica in Paramaribo, Suriname. JCI Female first organized The United Women Seminar (UWS) in 2021 to gain insight into how women dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic from their various disciplines in context to International Women’s Day 2021. 

More than a million people have died from the effects of this pandemic.Based on this, the theme for the 1st edition of UWS was: “Women’s resilience in the COVID pandemic”. The positive impact of the first UWS influenced the decision to do a second edition in 2022 in the context of the theme of International Women’s Day,: “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.” The theme for International Women's Day 2022 (IWD 2022) recognizes the contribution of all women and girls around the world, who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response, to build a more sustainable future for all. Established in partnership with the United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Bureau of Gender Affairs, UWS brought together local government officers, UN Agencies, civil society organizations, tribal and indigenous people, people living with  disabilities, and youth organizations. 

The opening of UWS 2022 was conducted by the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Bronto Somohardjo who highlighted the importance of our shared responsibility to reach Agenda 2030. In her welcome remarks, the Local President of JCI Female, Ms. Marsielia Gefferie underlined the need to involve men in the process towards gender equality. This statement was supported by the Liaison Officer of UNFPA Suriname Mrs. Judith Brielle who  encouraged all to keep advocating and committing to reaching the Agenda 2030. From the perspective of the 3 keynote speakers the topics; Gender and Development, Gender and environment, and Leaving no one behind were discussed by panels and the audience. 

In her keynote for the topic Gender and Development, human rights specialist Carla Bakboord stated that it is time to work towards a gross national product of happiness. Panel member Tiffany Sampake, representing the community of people with a hearing disability emphasized the need to include people with hearing disabilities in public dialogue. Human rights activist Jupta Toewaki mentioned in her keynote under the topic,  “Gender and Environment” that Indigenous women are determined to keep their culture and also ensure their development for the greater good of their community. While the director of Spatial Planning and Environment Mr. Ritesh Sardjoe reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to include gender in their planning and policy. The last keynote speaker Esten Cohen, a freedom chair user,  which is the name she refers to  her wheelchair, ended with an amazing poet with a call to action to leave no one behind, while the head of United Nations Resident Coordinator Office Suriname, Jessica Chandnani as a panel member shared data on the gender component through the agenda 2030. The UN Women Multi Country Office -Caribbean Representative, Ms. Tonni-Ann Brodber also virtually addressed the audience. Mrs. Brodber reaffirmed UN Women’s commitment to continue work as partner with government and civil society to design policies and programmes that are gender-responsive, which accelerate gender equality and contribute to the achievement of women’s economic security and autonomy as well.  

The famous Wiren from the international movie Wiren movie ended the night by thanking everyone for including people with a hearing disability in this seminar, he took his closing remarks to speak up for people with a disability living in rural areas and the interior. "They need to be included too since they are part of the community too" he signed. 

A report of this seminar will be composed to share its  findings  and to take actions that will contribute towards Suriname reaching the Agenda 2030.