~Powerful Address at Global Gender Conference in Ghana~

Accra, Ghana/PHILIPSBURG;---  President of the Parliament of St. Maarten, Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, in her role as Chair of the 3rd International Conference on Gender Equality (ICGE 2025), delivered a powerful speech in Accra, urging urgent global action to speed up gender equality in a rapidly digitalizing world.
Wescot-Williams opened by highlighting the island's unique history, deep African heritage, and long-standing commitment to unity, noting the significance of advancing gender equality in a global forum hosted on the African continent, a region whose voice and contributions are essential to advancing gender equality worldwide.
She reminded delegates that thirty years after the Beijing Declaration, its unfinished promise still demands global resolve. “Every barrier to women and girls’ equality anywhere becomes a threat to all of us, everywhere,” she said.
She welcomed the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, emphasizing its priorities, including closing the digital divide, eliminating violence, and advancing economic opportunity, climate justice, and participation in decision-making. But she warned that without financing and gender-responsive data, “commitments remain rhetorical.”
A significant portion of her address focused on the digital revolution. Wescot-Williams underscored that while technology can accelerate equality, it can also deepen disparities. Women remain less likely to access mobile internet, girls are underrepresented in STEM, and online harassment continues to silence women’s voices. “The digital divide is not only about access; it is about power, who designs technology, who controls data, and who benefits from innovation,” she stated.
She highlighted the work of technologists, policy leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators from Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, and St. Maarten women who are driving critical advances in digital transformation across the region. In particular, she noted that Ife Badejo’s AI Islands Summit is helping position small island states for AI readiness and supporting Caribbean women entrepreneurs to innovate and lead.
Wescot-Williams urged delegates to view ICGE 2025 not as a moment but a movement. “Let us be the generations that do more than diagnose inequality—let us be the generations that dismantle it,” she concluded. “Equality is the destination. Technology is the vehicle. And our responsibility begins now.”

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Windward Islands Bank is enhancing its free replacement process for damaged personal and business debit and credit cards. We recognize that the quality of the recently issued cards unfortunately does not meet the standard our customers expect, and discussions about this are being held with the manufacturer.
The replacement process applies to all customers with a personal or business credit or debit card showing signs of wear, tear or damage. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused some customers and hope that the accelerated replacement of the damaged cards will help eliminate that inconvenience.

In the coming months, clients who wish to replace their damaged card can do so in one of the following three simple ways:
• WIB Mobile Banking App: Open the app and tap the special campaign banner to submit your request.
• Email: Write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject “Request to replace defective card.” Please include your full name as it appears on the card and a contact number.
• In person: Visit your nearest WIB branch for assistance.
During the application process, customers will be able to select their preferred branch for card pickup. Once the card is ready for pickup, customers will receive an email with the pickup date. The full replacement process takes a maximum of 8 business days.

During this process, the current card remains active and usable. Once the new card is activated, we ask our customers to destroy and discard the damaged card.

Customers can have their damaged cards replaced until February 28, 2026. After this period, WIB will evaluate whether an extension is necessary.

For more information about replacing your card, you can contact us by phone at 546-2942, by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or through the chat function on our website www.wib-bank.net .

With this action, WIB reaffirms its continued commitment to offering safe and accessible banking services. We appreciate the trust of our customers and will continue working to improve our products and services.
The Windward Islands Bank, your partner in progress.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister Brug today announced an adjustment to the minimum hourly wage, in accordance with Article 13, Subsection 1 of the Landsverordening Minimumlonen (Minimum Wage Ordinance). This update reflects the 0.65% increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same quarter of 2024, as established by the Department of Statistics.
Effective January 1, 2026, the new minimum hourly wage will be XCG 10.93.
The Ministry emphasizes that it remains committed to responsibly aligning the minimum wage with economic indicators and ensuring that annual updates continue to provide incremental support to workers.
Minister Brug noted, “This yearly indexation ensures that the minimum wage continues to reflect shifts in the cost of living.
The Ministry will continue monitoring economic developments to ensure that labor policies remain fair, balanced, and sustainable.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Ministry of Finance is pleased to report the continued success of Financial Literacy Month, as residents demonstrate strong interest and active participation in the educational sessions offered.
On Tuesday evening, more than 100 individuals attended the presentation on Introduction to Investing, delivered by Mr. Kalmera. Attendees expressed appreciation for the clarity and depth of the information provided, with several requesting a continuation of the topic. This response underscores the growing demand within the community for accessible and trustworthy financial guidance.
The series continued on Wednesday with a session on Understanding Your Pension, aimed particularly at civil servants and other interested persons. The presentation offered valuable insights into pension structures and retirement preparation, serving as an important eye-opener for many participants.
Financial Literacy Month will proceed with the following upcoming sessions:
November 20: Understanding Your Income Tax Assessment
November 25: Taxation on Real Estate Income in St. Maarten
November 26: A Financially Strong St. Maarten
November 30: Banking on St. Maarten
While each topic plays a critical role in strengthening financial awareness, the session on banking particularly in light of ongoing public discussions regarding banking fees will provide residents with an essential opportunity to obtain clarity and raise questions directly with the presenters.
In addressing the importance of these initiatives, the Minister of Finance stated:
“An informed community is an empowered community."
The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to promoting financial education as a means of empowering households, strengthening decision-making, and supporting sustainable economic development.
The Ministry of Finance encourages all individuals who have not yet registered to do so promptly, as seating remains limited for the remaining sessions.