7WAMM Outcomes

Communiqué

Commonwealth Ministers Responsible for Women's Affairs (WAMM) met in Nadi, Fiji Islands, from 31 May to 2 June 2004. They reviewed past progress and developed a Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005 to 2015. Forty three member countries attended the meeting, which was held in the Pacific for the first time.
Download the Commuinque

The Commonwealth Plan of Action For Gender Equality 2005-2015

This new Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005-2015 (PoA) provides the framework within which the Commonwealth will advance its commitment to gender equality and equity.1 The PoA incorporates the Commonwealth's response to the differential impacts of global changes on women and men, builds on achievements to date, seeks to close persistent gaps and engages with new and emerging challenges. The PoA will guide Commonwealth action for the 2005-2015 decade with a mid-term review in 2010 and update as necessary. It will form part of the Commonwealth's contribution to the Beijing+10 Global Review in 2005.
Download the full Plan of Action in Acrobat PDF

An extract from the opening ceremony speech by Commonwealth Secretary-General RT Hon Don McKinnon to the 7th Commonwealth Women's Affairs Ministers' Meeting, (7WAMM)

" Women are the strongest link in the virtuous circle of growth and development: educating women, as you would know, leads to better health for the entire family, and better health means greater opportunities in the workforce and increased economic growth.

Women must be able to play a part in addressing some of the most pressing issues we face today: alleviating poverty, combating HIV/AIDS, preventing conflicts.

If you don't allow half the world to play their part in solving these problems, you're only going to get half the solutions.

The world must understand that increased gender equality does not only benefit women; it benefits everyone.

As Fiame Naomi Mataafa, Samoa's Minister of Education, said recently: "countries that have good representation by women are those with a healthy economy, an effective democratic government and an educated population."

The lesson of the past few years is that women's equality is central to the successful development of any country. Women are key engines of economic growth and social progress and their involvement is essential to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

That is why I will continue to support feminism. Because, to me, feminism is about promoting gender equality. And gender equality is about building more democratic societies, in which citizens enjoy better education, improved health and greater opportunities..."
Download the Speech in Acrobat PDF format

Ministerial Meetings - 7WAMM