The 13th Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers meeting in the Bahamas has agreed on a roadmap that will shape the advancement of efforts to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls, especially in climate action.
The roadmap was the result of a three-day deliberation among the Ministers at their triennial Commonwealth meeting in the Bahamas, coming to an end with a plan that highlights and addresses the major issues impacting women and girls in the Commonwealth bloc.
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The 56-member states meeting notes that specific provisions include an enhanced role of women in climate finance; increased support for women with disabilities; more economic opportunities for women; better representation in decision-making and greater protections from gender-based violence.
They expressed concern that not only are women and girls disproportionally impacted, they also face multiple barriers that may result in lower economic and social statuses, and increased risk of gender-based violence
The roadmap encapsulates the outcome statement issued by the Ministers, representing 2.5 billion Commonwealth people, at the conclusion of their meeting. Next year, leaders will consider this roadmap at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.
Nigeria however did not attend or participate in the Bahamas meeting as its Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye had only been appointed a week ago, and is currently in Calabar to attend the national conference of the National Council of Women Societies, NCWS.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
