Women Leaders as Agents of Change: Caribbean Regional Colloquium
Women Leaders as Agents of Change: Caribbean Regional Colloquium
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 29-30 June, 2011
The Caribbean Institute for Women in Leadership is pleased to join with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, the Organisation of American States, UN Women and the Commonwealth Secretariat to host, "Women Leaders as Agents of Change" a Regional Colloquium for female political leaders, parliamentarians and civil society representatives, 29-30 June, 2011.
The Colloquium aims to: share their experiences and challenges as women leaders; raise awareness of the gender equality commitments made in key international agreements including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA), and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); agree on priority goals and strategies for advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality and in the political, public and private sectors in the Caribbean; and strengthen the network of women in politics in the Caribbean region.
The Colloquium calls on Caribbean women leaders to unite in their commitment to be agents of change in achieving women’s rights and gender equality in the political, economic and social spheres in the region.
Message From The Prime Minister of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
It is with great pleasure I announce that the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago will be hosting a Regional Colloquium on Women Leaders as Agents of Change in Port-of-Spain from the 29th-30th June, 2011.
Investing in women is a pivotal commitment, and the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GoRTT) therefore acknowledges that with women as active, equally contributing partners in the process of development,the goals of social, economic and political growth can be achieved in less time and with more gains. As such, this two-day session will build on past commitments made in the field of gender equity and equality including the Commonwealth Action Plan 2005-2015 as well as the Millennium Development Goals. Further, it will address the critical need for more women in democratic decision making positions and platforms. With women’s potential to contribute significantly to sustainable development initiatives, the sessions will also focus on one of the main areas of work as outlined by the United Nations: democratic governance.
Working with multiple stakeholders, like women’s organizations and governments, the UN system and the private sector, we can bring more women into government, train women leaders, and boost women’s skills to actively participate in the political sphere. One of the pillars of UN Women’s work is advancing women’s political participation and good governance, to ensure that decision-making processes are participatory, responsive, equitable and inclusive.
Concerted action and forward thinking leadership are needed to overcome the barriers for women’s empowerment – which when achieved, will not only vastly improve their own lives but also bring change to their families, communities and increase their contribution to economic development. What is also important is that women leaders mentor girls and women to ensure knowledge and skills transfer that can continue the work towards equal opportunities, agency and access. e ideal opportunity is here for regional women leaders to strategically use their collective knowledge and resources to make pragmatic recommendations to close in the gender gap and better the lives of women in developing societies.
I urge you to make every effort to participate in this important event and I look forward to welcoming you to Port of Spain.
