(Commonwealth_ CHOGM) The Commonwealth Women’s Forum has commenced in Sāmoa, emphasizing the urgent need for renewed efforts to achieve gender equality. This event, which began in Apia on Sunday, is part of the weeklong Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The Commonwealth of Nations, composed of 56 member states from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific, was established to foster cooperation among countries that were once part of the British Empire. Among these members are Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Sāmoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, New Zealand, and Australia.
Approximately 4,000 delegates are expected to gather in Apia this week to engage in discussions that will cover key topics including geopolitics and climate change. The women’s forum specifically highlighted the need to empower women and girls across the Commonwealth, which collectively represents one-third of the global population. Delegates examined both the advancements made and the significant challenges that persist in crucial areas such as women’s leadership, the elimination of violence, and the intersectionality of discrimination based on age, disability, identity, and poverty.
“Despite ongoing global efforts to enhance the lives of women and girls, gender inequality remains pervasive, impacting every region of the world,” stated a CHOGM official. Delegates will formulate concrete proposals over the next two days to present to Commonwealth leaders, advocating for stronger measures to dismantle the barriers and biases that impede women’s progress. At the opening ceremony, Sāmoan Prime Minister and CHOGM 2024 chair Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, the first woman to lead a Pacific Island member country of the Commonwealth, committed to advancing these proposals. “I look forward to the reports from the forums and to bringing forth these critical priorities to our leaders, setting a clear direction for the future,” she affirmed.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland KC, also the first woman to hold her position, reiterated her commitment to centering women in the organization’s initiatives. Reflecting on the musical performances at the ceremony, Scotland noted the harmonious voices of women and girls, supported by men and boys, symbolizing the unity within the diverse delegate composition.
“A day like this reminds us that women are essential to progress across our Commonwealth,” Scotland stated. “Yet, despite these achievements, women endure to encounter substantial challenges. Violence against women, income inequality, structural discrimination, and exclusion from leadership opportunities remain prevalent. Addressing these issues is not merely a matter of justice but is also crucial for development.” Scotland emphasized that women’s participation is vital for fostering prosperous and peaceful societies, declaring, On our own, we are invisible. Together, we are invincible. She advised representatives to cooperate to transform gender equality from an objective into a reality for all.
Samoa’s Minister for Women, Community, and Social Development, Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio’o, resonated with the call for crucial action. “We are not just here to talk; we are here to take action. Together, we are unstoppable and possess the power to drive meaningful, lasting change across the Commonwealth and the world,” she stated.
The forum also addressed women’s roles in tackling environmental challenges. Experts from government, environmental organizations, and civil society will explore strategies to enhance representation, improve data, and secure financing to ensure women are fully engaged in climate action, from policymaking to implementation.
The Bahamas’ Minister of Social Services, Information, and Broadcasting, Myles K. Laroda, shared insights from his country’s experience with Hurricane Dorian, highlighting that many of those displaced were women and girls. This underscores the urgent need for gender-responsive climate action. We must invest in women and girls as transformative mediators of change, he stated. Forum participants include Tuvaluan Prime Minister Feleti Penitala Teo, various women’s affairs ministers, and representatives from women’s advocacy organizations. They will address the theme, “Collective Action for a Resilient Commonwealth: Solidarity for Gender Equality.”
