Multi-stakeholder dialogue on gender equality and sustainable development held by ParlAmericas, UN Women MCO-Caribbean, and Parliament of Saint Lucia
Today, ParlAmericas concluded a two-day multi-stakeholder dialogue session, jointly organized with the UN Women Multi-Country Office – Caribbean and the Parliament of Saint Lucia, in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia. The event, which focused on exploring sustainable development issues from a gender equality lens, brought together parliamentarians from the Caribbean and representatives of Caribbean national gender machineries, as well as representatives of various civil society and international organizations working on these themes.
Over the course of two days, participants discussed the challenges and opportunities related to gender equality and sustainable development in the region, recognizing that neither of these objectives can be achieved without addressing the important linkages between them. Closing the event, a regional joint statement was issued, which reaffirmed that any work towards ending gender inequality and violence against women and girls is also work towards sustainable development, and in which participants committed themselves to address these inequalities in an inclusive, comprehensive, and collaborative manner. The meeting also provided a space to support participants in national preparations for international fora on sustainable development issues, including the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States, which will be held in Antigua and Barbuda in May 2024.
On the first day of the event, opening remarks were provided by Tonni Brodber, Representative of the UN Women Multi-Country Office-Caribbean; Alisha Todd, Director General of ParlAmericas; The Honourable Claudius Francis (Saint Lucia), Speaker of the House of Assembly and Member of the ParlAmericas Board of Directors; and Senator the Honourable Alvina Reynolds (Saint Lucia), President of the Senate. Subsequent panel discussions highlighted the cost of violence against women and girls (VAWG), innovative initiatives to end VAWG, and good practices for building partnerships to advance gender equality and sustainable development.
The second day of the event allowed for continued exchange among participants, focusing on the gender dimensions of development issues within Small Island Developing States (SIDS), avenues to promote gender equality within and through parliament, and interactive learning to apply a gender lens in legislative and advocacy work.
The meeting was made possible in part with support from the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada and the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative.
Quote
The Honourable Claudius Francis (Saint Lucia), Speaker of the House of Assembly and Member of the ParlAmericas Board of Directors
“When we speak of sustainable development, we mean a future where economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection are all in balance. Gender equality is one of the cornerstones of this vision.”
