A new research project, aimed at assisting women’s affairs ministers across the Commonwealth in better promoting gender issues, was recently launched in Barbados.
Entitled "Delivering Gender Mandates: Strategies for Women’s Affairs Ministers", it is the brainchild of the Commonwealth Secretariat and was officially presented during the Ninth Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting, held here last week.
Speaking during the launch at the Hilton Hotel, Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Ransford Smith, explained that the project was conceived in recognition of the challenging environment which women’s affairs ministers face in delivering gender equality mandates and sustaining progress on female empowerment.
He added that the survey will focus on Commonwealth women’s affairs ministries to identify determinants of success and good practices.
The private sector will also be surveyed to seek their views on what gender-based government policies and programmes have successfully affected change in the business sector and empowered women.
"This will ensure that current and future women’s affairs ministers have access to practical guidance on how best to promote gender issues and the empowerment of women, especially in terms of influencing decision making," Mr. Smith remarked.
The research project is being undertaken in partnership with the World Economic Forum and the Council of Women World Leaders.??askeete@barbados.gov.bb