Jonas wants gender equality and women empowerment

4

Minister of Social Transformation, Human Resource Development and the Blue Economy, the Hon. Dean Jonas has called on his colleagues and counterparts in the United Nations, to continue the fight towards achieving the ultimate goals of gender equality and women empowerment.

 

The Minister’s call came during his address at the Commission on the Status of Women sixty-fifth (65th) session (CSW65) Ministerial round table, which was held virtually on Monday 15th March.

 

“We may have different cultures and national realities, however we are united in our desire to see women and girls play a greater role in global development and to be decision makers contributing to a more just and inclusive society. Let us continue our work, despite the pandemic, I am confident that this conference will be the start of a rejuvenated collective global drive”, Minister Jonas stated.

 

The theme for this year’s Commission on the Status of Women Conference is ‘‘Women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”.

 

Minister Jonas said that the theme is quite fitting and appropriate. “Even as we have seen a positive evolution in regard to the outlook that many people have on women’s role in public life and leadership, there are still widespread and deeply rooted misconceptions and harmful perceptions that need to be addressed. Additionally, worldwide we have seen that the multiple forms of gender based violence still persist and acts as an impediment to achieving gender equality” Minister Jonas noted.

 

He added “The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is pleased to be represented at CSW 65 as we mark a milestone by being able to again use this platform as a vehicle to mainstream gender considerations into global policy and legislative frameworks and to engage in sustained and high level advocacy on pressing and prevalent issues affecting women and girls. We are in precarious times as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, and the disproportionate affects that the pandemic has on women and girls and vulnerable groups, is another reason why this conference is of the utmost importance”.

 

Minister Jonas described the round table as a unique opportunity to critically assess and examine the progress member countries have made in achieving gender equality, and more specifically what steps they need to take in the future to ensure that we are providing ample opportunities for women to play a greater role leadership and decision making.

 

Additionally, he said the issue of gender based violence is one that governments must continue to dedicate resources, time and effort towards. “Women and girls have a basic and fundamental right to live free from violence. Anything short of this would be a massive failure and we must prioritize their safety and develop policies and frameworks that will ensure they are adequately protected”, Minister Jonas noted.

 

“It is undeniably important for us as policy makers and civil society to be at the forefront of the gender equality fight, however, if we fail to engage with our people and to sensitize them to the lived realties of women, and vulnerable groups, we will be fighting an uphill battle”, the Gender Minister added.

 

Minster Jonas that a number of issues have arisen out of this pandemic that will require our continued and sustained advocacy, as well as programming and policy in order to reduce the harmful effects it is having on many women’s economic autonomy, physical and mental health, as well as the threat of gender based violence.

 

“Antigua and Barbuda will continue to be guided by commitments made to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, as well as to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. These overarching policy frameworks continue to hold us accountable in our efforts to strengthen our institutional capacity and provides a roadmap towards achieving gender equality and eliminating discrimination, gender based violence and inequality”, Minister Jonas concluded.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]

4 COMMENTS

  1. 1. Thank you for keeping your shirt buttoned up.
    2. BIG THANKS from the nation to your scriptwriters – phew! They saved us from any ‘ these lovely ladies’ references on a global platform.
    3. ABLP actively needs to seek strong, capable, intelligent, well-spoken, under 55, women as candidates to join Gail Christian, because Gender Affairs and other ministries would benefit from their leadership and the country would likely benefit from more modern, efficient, action-results driven focus.
    4. A&B is small, the enrichment pot is finite, maybe we the people should revisit regulations regarding multiple family members running under one color & then helming ministries with possibly no experience of people/budget management and communication skills. Unfortunately that always raises the question of influence and enrichment of the puppet master.

  2. CONGRATULATIONS….Well Done…You are a TRUE PATRIOT. Dean for ST.GEORGE. We are ready to Campaign. My Representative Hon. Dean Jonas.

  3. The first step in Antigua, Bsrbuda & REDONDA is to address the #KipOmanKulture followed by dismantling the #BUDDING #BROTHELS and #PrivateHome whorehouses which are contributing to physical and mental abuse of some women.

    Now, this would really be a serious start to #GenderEquality!

  4. This clown needs to go. He hasn’t done a thing for Antigua just like dictator and traitor Gaston

    Where are the murderers of Nigel Christian and Andrea Hughes?

Comments are closed.