He made that call on Tuesday as the world recognises International Women’s Day — a day he also wants students to recognise here in the BVI.

International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 annually and this year’s theme is ‘Gender equality today for the sustainability of tomorrow’.

In a video address to the territory earlier today, Wheatley said this year’s celebration will recognise the contribution of 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.

“The importance of women is being emphasised here at home in our education system and this is a sign of success. We are teaching our students to be respectful and honour women. If schools don’t celebrate this day, our students may never learn the importance of this day and the many struggles they went through to be accepted in male-dominated spaces,” Wheatley said.

“International Women’s Day celebrate the importance and significance of women in every person’s life. It is also a day where women are recognized and celebrated in their chosen field of work,” he continued.

The Labour Minister noted women have a fierce and robust spirit that makes them excel in their respective areas and he emphasized that they are deserving of the love and support that the world gives to them today and every day.

“Women contribute meaningfully to the lives of their families as well as a territory and countries. In earlier times, the role of women was limited and restricted to household chores and due to this belief women did not go out to work. It took a few brave women to not only realize but then demand that they too could have careers. Then more and more women got to take jobs and got to work in many sectors of our economy,” Wheatley said.

The Ninth District Representative said things have changed significantly for women over the years and now there is hardly any space in the labour market that women have not placed their fingerprints on.

“It is high time to break the bias and give women equal opportunities and equal opportunities and equal pay at work. In some cases, women are running ahead of men and leading their respective companies in the direction of success,” Wheatley said.

“The contribution that they have made to society has immensely increased, fewer women are dependent on men for financial needs, they are independent resilient and strong and can take care of themselves. It is the change that has given women around the world the freedom to be self-confident and financially independent. Women are not afraid to push the boundaries required to finish their jobs and achieve success,” the Labour Minister added.