Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
Women are the key supporters of national calls for prayer. This group worshipped on prayer mountain in Portmore, St. Catherine, earlier this year. - - NORMAN GRINDLEYDEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
THE FIGHT for Jamaica is about to be stepped up a notch, with plans in the works for an unprecedented display of the power of Jamaican women. The women's stance against the nation's spiralling crime rate is to be showcased at an upcoming event tentatively dubbed, 'Million- Woman March'.
The march is being organised by the female support organisation 'Mother in Crisis', along with a group of 25 concerned Jamaicans residing across the world, from the United States to Canada and the United Kingdom.
Founder of 'Mother in Crisis', Doreen Billings, told The Sunday Gleaner, that the group's goal is to gather as many Jamaican women as possible, to collectively proclaim that they will do all within their power to 'clean up Jamaica'.
DECLARATION TO CRIMINALS
"We are basically planning to declare on that day, to the gunmen and to the world, that we are the ones with the power not the thieves, not the murderers, but us, Jamaican women. The wives, mothers and sisters will proclaim, then and there, that Jamaica is ours, not theirs," Mrs. Billings said.
Dr. Glenda Simms, executive director of the Bureau of Women's Affairs, gave the venture two thumbs way up. "I am very much in support of it," she said. Dr. Simms argued that for too long, women have been left out of the highest levels of decision-making. "We are 53 per cent of the population. We have a right to take the country back from criminals and those violating our rights."
Mrs. Billings added that 'Mother in Crisis' has asked several Jamaican women living abroad to spread the word of the upcoming march. Mrs. Billings said she hopes this will entice Jamaican women living across the world to visit their home country in support of this worthy cause.
The proposed route for the march is from the National Stadium to Emancipation Park, and it is being planned for Emancipation Day, August 1.
AWESOME POWER
"The march will be held under the theme 'We have the Power'. This is really the whole point of the event. It is meant to show the women in the inner cities and across Jamaica that they have the power. They need not be afraid. It is time our women realise the awesome power they have and make use of it," said Mrs. Billings.
The determined woman added that she has already been contacted by international media organisations which are interested in covering the historic event.
"We are not only having a march. The march is only the beginning of a greater campaign. On the day of the march, we will be handing out leaflets with details of the course of action that we will be embarking on," Mrs. Billings said, adding that she wished not to reveal more details until then.
Mrs. Billings noted, however, that the plan is to have several powerful female speakers addressing the event. She said this should serve to inspire all those who turn out.
