Our girls and International Women's Day

    International Women's day was first proposed a hundred years ago to improve women's rights in the areas of pay, voting rights and discrimination. International Women's Day alright but what have the women academics in the district done to bring to the attention of our young girls the significance of this annual event. Are they too busy seeing after their own personal development than seeing after the improvement and welfare of our young girls who are in dire need. Can't blame them anyway.That's the nature of most women towards their other women friends or counterparts.( a woman's worst enemy is another woman. so says an old adage).

  Our influential ladies in the district must now take the lead to advance the cause of the girls in the district. Persons like Maura Minvielle, Clara Edwards, Elmira Joseph, Ms Chalon (Tita) and others surely have brought the girl's generation before this one a long way. Kudos to them.

What is to be done now? Other influential women in the communities - principals,business managers, church leaders, bankers and community women should come together to see what can be done. They must work with the young girls where they are at to make a change. They must also learn to be non judgmental of persons.

  Most of the older people tend to think that the present generation of girls are undisciplined and do not portray the right attitude towards work.Sex life  and morality they say are at its lowest ebb.Lack of employment opportunity in the district  adds, "have driven the girls away to the bright life in the city. Even to the point of prostituting.Still the old folks believe that the young girls have no respect for their bodies because of the way they dress. A veteran woman politician Mrs. Rock adds, "having a degree or a certificate does not make you a perfect woman."

      Most of today's parents have to realize that they are living in a different time than tha theirt of children  and the children will not behave like them in their youth  The influence of Tv, and the electronic media have had its impact on our girls.

It would make good sense if the concerned women in the district would combine their effort to put together an organisation to see after the welfare of women in the district. may be we can look forward to seeing such an organisation in place to honor some of our women for next year's IWD.

   Our girls I'm sure, have untapped potential to drive the economic development of the distrct. Girls can drive economic growth and social stability.

  

Decriminalize it, Don't Legalize it

   I've been wondering whether decriminalisation or legalisation of prostitution is the right way to go. Legalisation officially would make prostitution legal and remove any prohibitions; whereas decriminalisation removes criminal charges from prostitution however there are still laws surrounding it.

  The Catholic, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and a number of Churches on the island have also publicly opposed the ‘moral degeneration’ of the country.
      What sexworkers have to say? Some believe that decriminalizing prostitution will have no affect as women will still be raped, abused and violated nor is there a guarantee that working conditions will be improved. Others view legalization as less of a strain on the resources of government and police services, as it is expensive and, at times considered futile.

On the fence, are some persons and organisations who advocate for reforms to laws governing prostitution. They do not believe that criminalisation or legalisation the answer but aims to provide counselling and support for sex workers, in the hopes that they can find better employment.
    Dr. Stephen King is one of the primary leaders of the defence of sexworkers rights. He believes that sexworkers should have access to health and services as well as be respected within society. He and his supporters are for the decriminalisation of sex work and the recognition of sex work as work in order to extend labour rights to sex workers.

     In my opinion, there is no way that a ban will eradicate poverty. All humans have the right to food and housing in this country, and if put in a situation where unemployment is ridiculously high and government and corporations alike can’t be held fully responsible for the bleak situation, a woman has got to do what she has to do. It is dire circumstances that drive someone to prostitution but taking someone’s means of survival away is not a means to an end.
There is a possibility of an increase of HIV/Aids if prostitution was legalized. Government has been urging people to stay safe for years. If prostitution was regulated, so could their policies and ‘behavioural code’, where it becomes mandatory for sexual protection.
    So perhaps the real question is, ‘does prostitution rob you of your womanhood?’ Some hold the opinion that prostitution exploits women, is surrounded with violence and a patriarchal dominance over a women’s body and has awful psychological and traumatic after-effects. In this line of thought, a sex worker doesn’t consent to sex; she is coerced because of her situation.
   Prostitution has been going on since ancient civilization; you cannot claim to be uninformed. A dire situation can be summed up into a basic survival of the fittest. What will you do to survive? Personally, if there were an option between death and sex work, I am sure a woman would choose the latter. If she finds herself in financial debt with no work opportunities and need to feed her kids, she will choose the later. She is not glamorising it, but  making an active choice.
   Someone recently told me,"Our bodies are treated like objects, unappreciated and tossed aside when there is no use for them. Now we cam view our bodies as our own tools, to use what we have to survive. Why must I be a good girl and keep my legs closed? Why do I have to be any type of girl?" recently told me  Our bodies are treated like objects, unappreciated and tossed aside when there is no use for them. Now we cam view our bodies as our own tools, to use what we have to survive. Why must I be a good girl and keep my legs closed? Why do I have to be any type of girl?Our bodies are treated like objects, unappreciated and tossed aside when there is no use for them. Now we cam view our bodies as our own tools, to use what we have to survive. Why must I be a good girl and keep my legs closed? Why do I have to be any type of girl.
St. Lucians will have to decide.

Better days are coming? - Labour's first 100 days

The present administration came back into office on November 28, 2011 which means the March 6, 2012 will make it 100 days since deing elected to office.
Labour's campaign on the theme "Better days are coming" and the promise that one hundred million dollars (whether US or EC) will be immediately injected into the economy to help with job creation, and the "en rouge" slogan coerced Lucians into bringing them back into government. Granted.
But what do they have to show for the first 100 days in office? 1. We have seen two weeks of a step program which to my mind was mere trickery to soothe the staunch supporters. 2. The firing of boards and installing new members instead.What's up with the CVC?

3. Kenny's reluctance to confirm diplomatic ties with Taiwan because of pride due to his irresponsible statements while in opposition. 4. The banana industry continues on a downward slope while Kenny drags his feet on the diplomatic tie in spite of the Taiwanese offer to help.
5. Corruption and Visa revocation scandals continue to haunt them because of the aggressive approach they took while in opposition. Lucians still await the top cop,s name to be released. (Remember how they were all over Frederick's case?)
6. Where is the one hundred million dollars to create employment for the youth? Have you seen any form of employment in Choiseul since after step? Where was Kenny suppose to get this gift or whatever you call it? Tom Chou is a politician and so is Kenny. The same way Kenny  while in opposition prevented the labour MPs from accepting Taiwan's money, so too he seems bent to do this to our nation. Tom Chou to the rescue - Kenny will have to put this in his pipe and smoke it.
7. Better days are coming alright. Hotel works are being laid off every day, businesses are on the brink of closure, persons continue to dig into their little saving to make ends meet, parents can,t even afford to pay the little allowance for the schools' feeding programs, more students going to secondary schools continue to fleece for rides to and from schools, and persons in the communities await with bated breath as to when a little project with come to their community to compliment the little they get off the land. Sad story.

8. Lorne's visit to the constituency it has been allegged is less than acceptable. It has been rumored that his relationship with his local top brass it not what it used to be. Hmmm! Favours not met? Lorne is green and will be used, but in time he will learn, I'm sure.
9. The issue of decrimalising prostitution is one that will divide this nation and cause it much pain. Remember during the time of Sara Flood when this same administration slipped the abortion bill into parliament? Keep your fingers crossed. They may try to do the same with this prostitution bill. Oh yes, better days are coming for the morals of this country.
The global economy is sick and is chewing at the achilles heels of the country, so when all these propaganda and empty rhetorics are spewed on political platforms and comes up as no show, who suffers?
May be there is still hope. Let's see what the budget brings - better or bitter days?

International Women's Day

While I lay in bed this morning and contemplating what position to take on Choiseul's Women with regards to the IWD it suddenly struck me that I should ask for the names of some prominent women in the district and have the readers of this blog recommend one lady they think have contributed most to the development of Choiseul - of course with three reasons for their choice
The blog will coin that post " The people's choice for "IWD 2012"
In tomorrow's post a poll will be set up with some names for readers to choose from.
In the meantime send you choices to wesouljahs@hotmail.com with the subject "IWD choice"
This blog sends out invitation to interested persons who may have an article and wants it posted on this blog. Note that the blog 's management reserves the right to post or not post the article if it deems it libelous.
Articles can sent to the email mentioned above with the subject " article". An article on " Our girls -what the future holds?" would be welcomed to mark IWD 2012 which I'd on March 8.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device from LIME.

China or Taiwan? Which way Mr. Rep?

 Presently it is being reported that the Government has appointed a committee to decide for them which way to go - Taiwan or China. Vaughn Lewis is being paid a top bracket salary to tell the Kenny administration which way to go. What is Alva's use then?

   It is quite clear over the electronic media, except for Earl Bousquet and his self-serving motive that St.Lucians wants to stay with Taiwan. St.lucians have seen the tangible results for the five years the last administration had Taiwan onboard.
   It's an island wide sentiment that Taiwan must stay. Residents of Choiseul/Saltibus constituency have benefitted immensely from Taiwan. In fact the whole landscape of Choiseul has changed because of Taiwan funds. Thanks to Rufus for this. The living standard of Choiseul people has changed dramatically. Don't you think so?
   Now Choiseul would like to see the continuation of progress and as a result would rather stay with Taiwan. The point here is what does our new Rep thinks? This blog shares the view that it will be politically correct for Lorne to vote for Taiwan. He must do what is right for the people of Choiseul if he is to survive politically.

   However, it is very scary what may become of him should he go against the grain of this Government if they choose China in place of Taiwan.
  Should we then say that Lorne is treading a thin line, in that Choiseul wants Taiwan and supposing Kenny (don’t mind the Vaughn Lewis masquerage) wants China.

   The district Rep should organize a few town hall meetings to get the people's feel.
Like a song of the 60's "Which way you going Billy?"

Summer Employment for our Youth

  Every year the government offers employment to young persons 16 and over to enable them to earn some cash to further their studies the following school year. Employment is being offered on a two month basis from July to August.
Persons who are interested  an download the application form from http://stlucia.gov.lc and click on vacancies in the side bar. This is what the program is all about.

SUMMER EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION PROGRAMME Please read the following information carefully.

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVE

3/4 To assist students in financial need, meet the financial cost of their education
1. Students are required to complete the application form and submit it to the office of the Ministry of Public Service and human Resource Development , 2ⁿd floor Greaham Louisy Administrative Building, Waterfront, Castries on or before March 31 on the calendar year which you seek summer employment.

2.       Incomplete applications or applications containing misleading information will not be considered.

3.       Applicants are required to be at the minimum age of sixteen (16) years on or before June 01, of the calendar year in which they apply

4. Students will be employed for a maximum of two (2) months during the period June to July or July to August.

5. All applicants are required to obtain an NIC number from the National Insurance Corporation, as proof of meeting the minimum age of sixteen (16) years.

6. Secondary School students applying for the programme are required to provide proof of enrolment in the final year of Form Five (5) of their programme. All other applicants are required to submit proof of registration

7. Students are requested to ensure that all information including mailing address is accurate

8.       Applications submitted after the deadline date of March 31 will not be considered

The application form is in pdf format. Students interested can download the form or can write to this blog at thesaltofchoiseul@hotmail .com with the subject  "form" and it will be sent to them in Word format

Were the police killings extrajudicial: a strictly opinionated perspective

  With the recent revocation of the top cop's US visa and the fact that America is not furnishing any reasons speculations are flying left right and center. Frederick's visa was also revoked  and one could not help to hear the kind of accusations that were being hauled at the ex-minister for the revocation.America was not bulging.
  Yesterday an ex-minister suggested that the revocation of the top cop's visa may be due to the recent police killings that had taken place over the past months. He said that because of these killings the USA has been seeking answers but to no avail. He went on further to suggest that  someone may have given the US officials information suggesting that these killings may have been a cover up for government ministers or top police officials.
  Five alleged criminals were shot at Vieux fort during an attempted robbery. Other killings of top criminals have also taken place. At one time  a number of criminals' pics were posted all over the world wide web. It was rumored that the names came from a hit list from the police.
  Inquests have been scheduled to take place and until this is done St. Lucians will continue to thrive on speculation.