CARICOM secretary general says regional women still facing challenges to equality

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Secretary General of CARICOM, Dr Carla Barnett said Friday that even as the region celebrates the progress made by women “there are many challenges to be overcome”.

In a message marking International Women's Day 2024 under the theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” the region's top female public servant, said that Caribbean countries this year should “celebrate the progress we have made towards gender equality and women's empowerment.

“Our member states are introducing gender-responsive budgeting; legislation and policies are being reformed; and guidelines, tools, and protocols are being made available to support implementation of gender mainstreaming and monitoring of results across different sectors.”

But she acknowledged that “even as the region moves towards “equality for all”, there are many challenges to be overcome.

“Data indicate that fewer women than men in the region are earning incomes, unpaid care work is still predominantly done by women and girls, and gender-based violence continues with great intensity.  This reflects the continued presence of cultural beliefs, norms and practices that underpin social exclusion and inequalities,” Barnett said.

She said as the region goes forward, investing in strengthening regional and national gender machinery is critical to investing in women, and to accelerating progress.

“We must also strengthen the implementation of social and economic policies to ensure that gender equality programmes encompass everyone. I urge all women and men to work together to achieve gender equality,” she added.

Meanwhile, in a message marking the occasion, United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, said the international body celebrates women and girls around the world, applauding all they have achieved in the fight for equality.

“Women and girls have made great gains, demolishing barriers, dismantling stereotypes and driving progress towards a more just and equal world. Yet they face immense obstacles.

“Billions of women and girls face marginalisation, injustice and discrimination, while the persistent epidemic of violence against women disgraces humanity. Our world still reflects millennia of male-dominated power relations. ”

Guterres said that progress is under attack, with a fierce backlash against women's rights.

“At our current rate, legal equality is some three hundred years away,” he said, adding “we must move much faster."

“On International Women's Day, we stand with women and girls fighting for their rights, and we commit to accelerating progress. This year's theme, invest in women, reminds us that ending the patriarchy requires money on the table.

“We must support women's organisations on the front line.  And we must invest in programmes to end violence against women, and to drive women's inclusion and leadership in economies, digital technologies, peacebuilding and climate action. ”

But the UN Secretary General said that this all depends on unlocking finance for sustainable development so that countries have funds available to invest in women and girls.

“We also need to increase the number of women leaders in business, finance, central banks and finance ministries. This can help drive investments in policies and programmes that respond to women and girls' needs.

“Women's rights are a proven path to fair, peaceful, prosperous societies. It is good for us all.

Together, let's take urgent action to make it a reality,” Guterres added.

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