Submitted by comant on Thu, 08/08/2024 - 20:02
nelsons
written by
Sandie de Freitas
Images Norman Hart

The UN Gender Equality Forum at Nelson’s Dockyard National Park on May 25-26, 2024, was a landmark event focused on advancing gender equality and women’s rights within Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Hosted by UN Women and the Caribbean Development Bank, the Forum brought together over 200 participants from more than 40 countries, including government officials, private sector representatives, academics, civil society, and parliamentarians. These stakeholders discussed strategies for operationalizing the SAMOA Pathway and the 2023 Agenda to create a gender-transformative, resilient future for SIDS, aligning with global frameworks such as COP29, the Summit of the Future, Beijing+30, and SIDS4 Outcome.

nelos

The first World Conference on Women, held in Mexico City in 1975, followed the UN's declaration of International Women's Year and launched a decade of focused efforts on women's issues. This conference established guidelines for improving women's status, and in 1979, the UN adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), a landmark treaty urging nations to commit to gender equality. Despite widespread support, some countries, including the United States, have yet to ratify CEDAW.

Interactive sessions, including panels and workshops, allowed participants to exchange best practices, network, and discuss themes like women’s economic empowerment, violence against women, education, health, and political participation. The Equality Village Entrepreneurial Marketplace featured businesses from 30 women-owned MSMEs across 12 countries, spotlighting Caribbean and Pacific women’s innovation.

This inaugural forum concluded with a high-level meeting and a powerful outcome statement, reaffirming a collective commitment to advancing gender equality. Mrs. Ann Marie Martin, Commissioner of Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, praised the forum for showcasing the entrepreneurial talents of Caribbean women and emphasized its impact on women’s empowerment and sustainable development across SIDS.