Womanism, not feminism

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua - This year’s observance of International Women’s Day will be especially poignant for women across this country, coming as it does one week after the brutal slaying of a mother of five, while at work. Forefront in the minds of the women of this country must be that most basic of rights – the right to be safe in their homes, on the street and in the workplaces. A recently conducted informal survey indicated that fear is the overriding emotion in Antigua & Barbuda, especially amongst women who live alone. This crippling emotion has many refusing to leave their homes after dark and padlocking and placing burglar bars on every window and door.