PHILIPSBURG--On the occasion of International Women's Day being observed today, Peridot Foundation Founder Gracita R. Arrindell started off in a press statement by congratulating all the female sailors who had participated in the thirtieth Annual Heineken Regatta over the past weekend.

"The theme for this year, 'Equal Rights, Equal Opportunity, Progress for All,' is a great policy objective for our government as well as the private sector to pursue, given the past year's financial and economic crisis that hit countries around the world.

"As we stated last year, during these vulnerable times, usually women, including a large segment of single breadwinners with children, suffer most. Things have not changed much for these women, and others who are financially more stable do not see their financial/economic future improving in the foreseeable future," said Arrindell.

"The long-drawn-out constitutional change process facing our people has not been particularly helpful in this respect either. We must refocus and direct some of our energy to the things that have immediate effect on the quality of life of our people in general and of our women in particular.

"Equal Rights, Equal Opportunity, Progress for All? Were we not there before? Why have we gone backwards in striving for progress of women in the public and private sectors?" Arrindell asked.

"In our public address last year, we made the call to have access to hard data or statistics in order to request funds to execute programmes that would improve the quality of life of our women in general, and of those facing hardship through no fault of their own. This information is still not available. More women can succeed in business and in life if we equip them with the right information and the right tools," she said.

"With a new board of the Chamber of Commerce under dynamic and forward-thinking new leadership, we are looking forward to having the data and programmes that would stimulate women's participation in business in short order.

"In addition to having access to financial literacy programmes (when to refinance your debts, mortgages, Internet use) to assist women in business, we also propose the establishment of a yearly Chamber of Commerce award for the best new business by a woman in our community," Arrindell recommended.

She suggested that such an award include as prizes having access to an accountant for a year, six months' business rent, one year of insurance, and a business or educational trip abroad, to mention a few. "This strategic alliance will be a win-win situation for women, Government, the business sector and our community as a whole."

She said Peridot Foundation supported initiatives that enabled women to start and keep their own small businesses. "As a small-business owner for over 22 years, I can speak from experience, and see the need for women to get the assistance and support we deserve. Equal rights, equal opportunity, progress for all is the way forward. Going back is not an option," she encouraged.

"Our foundation remains committed to its cause and objectives, and hopes to continue for many more years with its programmes and active presence in the improvement of the quality of life for women on St. Maarten," Arrindell concluded.

The Peridot Foundation can be contacted for donations or support via its Website

www.Peridotfoundation.com .