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Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has highlighted the enrollment of numerous Dominican students in U.S. universities, addressing a pattern of criticism towards the government regarding unpaid tuition fees. Skerrit disclosed a reduction in the government's debt to Midwestern University from $3 million to $489,000, which is expected to be cleared within the next two weeks. Additionally, he mentioned that over the past seven years, the government has allocated $13 million to Grambling State University. Skerrit asserted that upon taking office in 2000, the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) administration conducted a study revealing that 44% of students who took the G6NA examination at that time progressed to secondary school, while 65% did not pursue further education.

Thea Lafond, the Women's Triple Jump Gold Medalist, conveyed her pride and honor in representing Dominica and bringing joy to its people. She underscored the nation's ongoing success as a tremendous source of pride. Lafond mentioned maintaining a positive mindset leading up to the competition and feeling confident to deliver her best performance on the event day.

Tonni Brodber, UN Women Caribbean Representative, highlighted the importance of the 'She-Preneur' initiative, emphasizing that it goes beyond being merely an innovative concept—it is a vital and sustainable endeavor. Drawing parallels to the 'Build Back Equal' Project, she emphasized the necessity for collaborative efforts to achieve equality. Brodber expressed that the concept of "building back equal" is well comprehended and embraced by Dominican society. She underscored the focus on women entrepreneurs in the region, noting that they constitute 9% of entrepreneurs, with 1% of them overseeing more than five employees. Brodber emphasized their capacity to effectively manage businesses while fulfilling their regular domestic responsibilities.

Minchinton Burton, Director of the Forestry Division, has announced a series of activities coordinated by the Forestry, Wildlife, and Parks division, taking place from March 18th to March 22nd, 2024, to commemorate World Forest Day, annually observed on March 21st by the United Nations (UN). These week-long events aim to heighten local awareness and understanding of Dominica's forests and protected areas. Burton emphasized that Forest Week is geared towards fostering cross-sectoral collaboration with local stakeholders and international partners in the realms of biodiversity conservation and natural resource management.

During the Exceptional Women’s Awards Ceremony by the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Social Services, Tourism Minister Denise Charles-Pemberton underscored the pivotal role of women in Dominica's progress. She emphasized their essential contributions to family and societal well-being, stressing their significance in ensuring the stability, advancement, and long-term prosperity of the country. Minister Charles-Pemberton also celebrated the appointment of an indigenous woman as President of Dominica, considering it a noteworthy milestone and a substantial step forward in the nation's pursuit of gender equality. Expressing pride in the government's efforts, Charles-Pemberton highlighted the implementation of a national policy framework dedicated to supporting women and propelling Dominica towards a more equitable future. She pointed out the introduction of numerous initiatives on the island.

The National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD) has been actively dedicated to supporting the development of Small and Micro Enterprises (SME) in Dominica for the past 42 years, playing a role in fostering positive change and innovation. In line with this mission, NDFD has introduced the Green Program, which aims to guide and assist both small businesses and individuals in adopting environmentally friendly practices in their day-to-day operations. At the heart of this initiative is a proactive response to pressing environmental issues, particularly climate change. A significant global movement addressing these concerns is "Earth Hour," which started as a lights-out event in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. Over the years, Earth Hour has evolved into a widespread campaign, involving millions of supporters across more than 185 countries and territories. Scheduled for Saturday, March 23rd, 2023, from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm, Earth Hour stands as a potent symbol of collective commitment to environmental conservation. NDFD, in keeping with its dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship, will actively participate in Earth Hour and encourages the community to join in this meaningful endeavor.

The Ministry of Housing, in collaboration with the 'Build Back Equal' Project, launched the 'She-Preneur' Pilot Initiative on Thursday, marking a groundbreaking effort in Dominica and the broader Caribbean. This initiative aims to empower female entrepreneurs, fostering sustainable urban development and economic growth. Running from March 7th to 11th, 2024, Minister for Housing, Melissa Skerrit, noted the timeliness of this initiative coinciding with International Women's Day. Minister Skerrit explained that the initiative's goal is to boost earnings for businesses owned by women and youth by facilitating direct interaction with customers and enhancing connectivity between them.

The Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) joins the international community in celebrating women on 8th March, International Women's Day (IWD) under the theme, 'Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.' This year’s celebration will focus on recognizing women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. The United Nations theme is aimed at tackling economic disempowerment and brings into sharp focus the issues of social justice:  Access to resources  Equity  Participation  Diversity  Human rights. Women often face insurmountable hurdles in this hostile economic environment yet give life to the adage ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’.  Many of them can overcome these constraints and rise above all expectations, oftentimes smashing the glass ceiling. The DPSU recognizes the constraints that Dominican women face and will continue to advocate for better working conditions and a more equitable socio-economic environment to allow women to perform at their peak. These women are found in all spheres of life, and we celebrate them for succeeding against all odds. The DPSU salutes all women but especially our members who continue to give selflessly to others by accomplishing much with little. The DPSU has demonstrated its concern for our women by establishing a top care preparatory nursery school to enable our women to find gainful employment while their children are in a safe environment. In addition, the cleaning and security service, C&S, was developed in response to the threat of unemployment when the then employer started outsourcing. These are just two examples where the DPSU has taken action to assist women in ensuring that their homes, families and communities were economically stable and safe. ​ The DPSU believes, promotes and practices equity internally within its structure but calls attention to areas that are less progressive in the wider society. Gender equity continues to be a matter that should feature more prominently in national policy and practice. As we ponder accelerating progress for women, we must consider the sectors that are served more predominantly by women, namely Education, Health and Care services, child services and ensure women are not only celebrated but remunerated adequately, enjoy job security, and are provided with the support systems to achieve self-actualization and to thrive. This cannot be possible if they are crippled by stereotypes, if they experience harassment, victimization and/or violence in any form. Women are the foundation of our nation and investments must be made to accelerate progress now and in the future. Investment takes varied forms; in education and training, equal job opportunities and promotions, pay equity, small business financing, public sector transformation that is gender sensitive and empowerment through social justice and social protection. Investing in women is equal to investing in families, communities and our nation by extension. The DPSU celebrates and salutes all our women. HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

The Chinese Ambassador to Dominica, Lin Xianjiang, emphasized the enduring friendship between Dominica and China over the past two decades of diplomatic relations. He highlighted China's steadfast support for Dominica's economic and social development, aiming to foster a shared vision for the future. Ambassador Lin underscored the successful collaboration, particularly in strengthening various sectors of Dominica's economy, including agriculture. Additionally, Ambassador Lin Xianjiang reiterated the importance of commemorating the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Dominica and China. The celebration is scheduled for March 13th in Dominica and later this month in Beijing, China.

Fenella Wenham-Shepherd, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, stressed that post-Hurricane Maria, the focus of school rehabilitation has been on incorporating modern amenities and skill development spaces. She highlighted China's commitment to constructing five primary and one secondary school in Dominica, emphasizing their dedication to the nation's education sector and the well-being of children. Shepherd also provided an update on the construction of Goodwill Secondary School, mentioning that progress is satisfactory. Additionally, she stated that work on Thibaud Primary School will commence shortly and urged everyone to contribute to maintaining a healthy school environment.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit asserts that the DLP Administration has an impeccable track record in fulfilling promises to the Dominican people. Despite facing numerous challenges that could potentially cause delays, Skerrit emphasizes their consistent delivery on commitments. He underscores the construction of the Thibaud Primary School as an example of the government's dedication to providing optimal opportunities for success to the children of Dominica. Mr. Skerrit further highlights that the construction of five primary schools and one secondary school in Dominica represents an investment exceeding $80 million, showcasing a substantial commitment to enhancing the nation's educational infrastructure.