Managing Director of Nevis Multi Line Services (NEMUS) Andy Liburd is advocating investment in women and the creation of equal business opportunities.

 Liburd made this call during an interview with this reporter recently. He noted that the time has come for women to access more opportunities adding that thee is a need for equality.

 Meantime, Office Manager of NEMUS, Corinne Caines reiterated too that women are playing an important role in the society, hence the need for equality and more opportunities.

 He pointed out that women can be empowered in St Kitts and Nevis by giving them equal opportunities, while asserting that for some time to come women may not hold a great number of the top positions but if they are supported in small businesses they could reach higher positions sooner than expected. “There is an urgent need for us to invest in women.

 My business has been managed mainly by a woman who for many years have and continues to demonstrate her ability and knowledge in doing an excellent job,” the NEMUS MD said.

 Liburd who has worked extensively in the banking sector where he served as a manager drew reference to the many women who he has seen over the years with the ability and capability to manger effectively and effectively. He said that the perception that women cannot do a good job in some sectors is more of an assumption rather than a fact as he has seen that once they (women) set their minds to achieving tasks they are equally competent as their men colleagues.

 The managing director stressed that when women are afforded equality of opportunity, the potential for development is even greater.

 Pointing to recent statistics Liburd noted that recent figures have indicated that 2/3 of the world’s unpaid work is done by women while 2/3 of the world’s paid work is done by women who receive 10% of the world’s income.

 Liburd made a passionate appeal to women whether serving in the public or private sector to become more aware of their progress and analyze what lies ahead, since it is like pressing through a labyrinth and all labyrinths have a viable route to the centre.

 Liburd pointed out that some of the longstanding challenges and obstacles are prejudices that benefit men and penalize women. He then made a stinging appeal for the creation of opportunities that provide mentoring relationships and which focus on men and women for leadership positions. He noted that micro-loans have allowed more women to access loans since banks shy away from handing loans to women.

 Commenting on the social ills of domestic violence, the MD noted that this contributes to loss in productivity and in the United States it costs the economy US$1.2B each year and adds up to millions of lost paid working days.

 Addressing a burning question as to how women could strike a balance between the workplace and their family life, Liburd pointed out that maintaining such balance is probably one of the most difficult experiences that many professional women have had.

 He noted that many women do not have a choice and choose to stay at home while others make the choice to be in the work environment. “I do not think there is any quick fix to such a problem as there are its advantages and disadvantages that comes with it, Liburd said.

Liburd continued, “The nurturing of the world’s future population is important and suggested that there can be a paradigm shift where men share more responsibility”. He expressed the firm view that despite seeing the paradigm shift in Nevis where he has spent all of his life, he expressed the belief that in many families “that is not the choice” although both parties are responsible for the family.

 Over the fourteen odd years of NEMUS existence the company has donated to a number of educational and women empowerment projects with the view of providing opportunities for young women. Liburd was frank in his belief that he wants to assist in promoting and empowering women within the federation of St Kitts and Nevis.

 Like the parable it is evident that Liburd shares similar sentiments which states “when you educate a man you educate one but when you educate a woman you would have educated a nation”. Some sixty percent of Nevis Multi Line Services full time staff are women.