The achievements of women were celebrated across the island yesterday as Bermuda took part in International Women’s Day.

The event not only recognised the accomplishments of women and the contributions they have made, it also sent a message that more needed to be done to “inspire inclusion” — the theme of this year’s celebration — and encouraged girls to follow their dreams and ambitions.

Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, said IWD was “a testament to the significance of women in society and the impactful contributions that we make”.

In a statement in the House of Assembly yesterday, Ms Furbert said: “We celebrate those women who came before us both internationally and locally, and we celebrate those women who currently stand with us to build on the steel foundation laid by women trailblazers globally.

“We celebrate all women in all of their diversities. We celebrate those women who came before us, those who stand beside us now and those who will come after.”

Ms Furbert pointed out that her ministry had taken “intentional action in its initiatives to invest in women and to accelerate their progress” in the past year.

She said that a “Build Back Equal” programme, launched in partnership with the United Nations, was providing financial support to women entrepreneurs.

She added: “This investment in our women entrepreneurial businesses will help position them so that at the end of the accelerator programme they can confidently pitch their business products to broader market investors.”

Ms Furbert said that she had taken part in a wellness walk organised by the Civil Service on Wednesday, “which promoted the collective commitment of women taking care of themselves and each other”.

She said: “It was great camaraderie walking with women who work at all levels across the public service. The atmosphere was both inspiring and inclusive.”

The minister met women members of the Future Leaders and Youth Parliamentarians group yesterday for a “table talk“ lunch.

Ms Furbert said: “It was highly engaging as our young women leaders expressed their views on various hot topics that included recruiting, retaining and developing female talent, women’s economic empowerment — gender equality, supporting women and girls into leadership, decision-making and business, and helping women and girls make informed decisions about their health and sexual reproduction rights.”

Earlier, Ms Furbert attended a networking breakfast at City Hall organised by the Women’s Resource Centre.

And she spoke at an information session held by the Bermuda Public Service Union’s Women’s Committee “to celebrate women and inspire inclusion”.

In her statement, Ms Furbert said: “I remind my honourable colleagues and the public that women are the engine that drives the public service; private and third-sector organisations; households; and our community.

“We must support our women as they contribute so much of themselves to make Bermuda a more inclusive place.”

An International Women’s Day Public Service Planning Committee hosted a virtual panel discussion on the theme of “Paving the First Path”.

Panellists included Cherie-lynn Whitter, the head of Public Service; Cindy Clarke, the Director of Public Prosecutions; Keeva Joell-Benjamin, the Commissioner of Corrections; and Tami Ray, Senior Ferry Pilot.

Ms Whitter said: “This year’s theme — #InspireInclusion — aims to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes and create environments where all women are valued and respected.

“Over the course of this past week, the public service has been intentional about employee engagement in observation of IWD by hosting a series of activities aimed at shining a spotlight on women in the service.”

Ms Whitter said that the public service, which employs 2,300 women, aimed to be “an employer of choice”.

She said: “Our goal is to attract, develop, motivate, and retain a quality talent pool. As an employer we are taking the necessary steps to be responsive to the changing needs of our employee base — eliminating gender bias, rewarding effectiveness, and recognising the achievement of excellent outcomes.

“So on this day, as we highlight the strides of women, I want to take this opportunity to remember those women who paved the way, to celebrate those currently in the service, and to inspire career-minded women who want to make a positive contribution to our community to consider a career in the public service.”

Rena Lalgie, the Governor, issued a video statement in which she said: “In a world where men have been brought up to know that they can occupy as much space as they need or they want, it’s not OK for us to feel the pressure to shrink in order to make more space for them.

“In life and in work, there are times when we need to pick our battles. There are times when we need to be able to breathe in order to fit through a gap or lower our heads in order to fit under a low ceiling.

“But for the most part, we should feel safe and at ease with our heads held high, with our shoulder blades together and filling as much space as we have earned the right to do.

“As public servants, we have made a choice to serve all people and so we need to feel safe bringing our whole self to work.

“And in those moments where we feel that we have a unique perspective to share, know that you have a responsibility to share it.”

Other organisations declared their support for the event.

The Bermuda Monetary Authority held a special luncheon for female staff.

It said: “Women play a prominent role in the BMA’s labour force, with a growing number serving in senior positions and strong representation on the Board of Directors.

“In 2024, the authority will build further upon this foundation by setting broader and more formalised diversity equity and inclusion goals and strategies, including those pertaining to gender. ”

Belco said it was marking IWD by celebrating female staff.

Shelly Leman, the company’s managing director of transmission, distribution and retail, said: “As we move towards a more sustainable future, we are constantly learning and implementing new strategies to improve.

“Ensuring we take a diversity and inclusion-centric approach will assist us in attracting and retaining top talent, while also ensuring our customers are receiving the highest calibre of service and care possible.

“As we strive to continuously evolve and progress, we strive to create further opportunities for growth and improvement and look forward to progressing the role of women in our company in the future.”