Barbados on track to host Commonwealth women’s meeting

“Significant progress” has been made to ensure a successful meeting of the 9th Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting (9WAMM) from June 7-9 2010 in Barbados.

Mr John Hollingsworth, Director Bureau of Gender Affairs said he looked forward to welcoming all participants to both the Ministerial Meeting as well as the Partners’ Forum, which will precede 9WAMM.

In his update to delegates at the Commonwealth National Women’s Machinery meeting in New York last weekend, Mr Hollingsworth confirmed that key logistical arrangements had been agreed upon, including venues and accommodation.

“In addition, we have put in place a venue coordinator, liaison and transport coordinators, a civil society coordinator as well as hospitality, security and media personnel.”

“The media are assured that they will have access to the most advanced telecommunications services and facilities,” he added.

Mr Hollingsworth said the Ministry of Youth, Family and Sports – which is responsible for gender affairs – would now move into the next phase, where contracts are finalised and the meeting’s agenda is agreed on.

The theme for 9WAMM is: ‘Gender Issues in Economic Recovery and Beyond: Women as agents of transformation.’

Mr Hollingsworth said that alongside the summit, there would be displays of art and craft and other small business products in addition to a gender hub where tools of gender analysis will be displayed and explained.

He added that Barbados believed in the importance of including the general population in some of the events and that participation would be extended to the major social and economic sectors in order to build a legacy for the country.

In stressing his government’s commitment to the principles and pursuit of gender equality Mr Hollingsworth announced that for the first time in the history of Barbados, employment of women had surpassed that of men earlier in the year.

Secretariat Links:

• Gender
• Country Profile: Barbados