This morning, a number of prominent groups, at the forefront of the Community gathered in the lobby of the City Hall, where Chief Minister Fabian Picardo uncovered a plaque, commemorating International Women’s Day. Commenting on Gibraltar’s first Women’s association, named the Housewives Association of which, his mother was one of the founding members, along with Mariola Summerfield, Mr Picardo explained that the group played its part and ‘became a spring board for political women and for the continuing activity of the association itself’.

Present at the unveiling was Minister for Equality, Samantha Sacramento, the Defenders of Gibraltar, the Unite the Union Women’s Committee, and the current Women’s Association.

Speaking on the appointment of Minister Sacramento’s ministerial portfolio, the Chief Minister noted that he advised the Governor to give Ms Sacramento this newly conceived responsibility as apposed to the former responsibility as Minister for Women.  He added that he was very proud that for the first time, under his Government, Gibraltar has a Ministry for Equality, and that the Minister has attended an international UN gathering on the matter.

Following the plaque unveiling, the group was invited to the Mayor’s Parlour for a small reception.

Speaking to the Unite the Union’s Women’s Association, made up of Amy Perez, Gillian Bunkett, Wendy Clouter, Elsie Gonzalez, Stesi Menoyo, Bouchra Zemmouri, Marilyn Ramboll and Maribel Chellaram, they noted that their main aim was to work towards flexible hours for women, in the workplace as well as other issues that affect working women.

Following the reception, the women marched to Casemates where a Unite the Union stall provided leaflets for passers-by.