(Commonwealth_ From December 4 to 6, 2024, delegates from across the Caribbean gathered in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, for a workshop aimed at enhancing the gender responsiveness of parliaments. The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) network, ParlAmericas, and UN Women Caribbean collaborated to organize the workshop, which the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago hosted under the theme, “Making the Work of Parliaments Responsive to the Needs of Women and Men.”
The event began with opening speeches by several distinguished leaders. Hon. Bridgid Annisette-George, MP, Speaker of the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament and Vice-President of ParlAmericas, welcomed participants and set the stage for discussions on gender-sensitive parliamentary practices. Additional remarks were provided by Tonni Brodber from UN Women Caribbean and Alisha Todd, Director-General of ParlAmericas, who emphasized the importance of collective efforts in advancing gender equality in governance.
Stephen Twigg, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), delivered virtual opening remarks, highlighting the CPA’s commitment to fostering inclusive and gender-sensitive parliaments. He commended the partnership among the CPA, ParlAmericas, and UN Women and thanked the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago for hosting the workshop. In his address, he stated:
“I’m delighted that the CPA and CWP are working in partnership with brilliant organizations like ParlAmericas and UN Women, and I would like to thank the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago for hosting this important workshop. The CPA is focused on our shared commitment to inclusive and gender-sensitive Parliaments, and it is important that there is a gender lens throughout the work of Parliaments.”
Goals and Focus Areas
The workshop sought to equip parliamentarians with the tools and knowledge needed to address the unique needs of women, men, and diverse societal groups in all aspects of parliamentary responsibility. Sessions explored various themes, including mainstreaming gender equality within parliamentary operations, fostering inclusive parliamentary workplaces, and enhancing constituency engagement through a gender lens.
The event featured a presentation by Bénite Dibateza, the CWP network coordinator and programs manager at the CPA secretariat. Dibateza outlined the work of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians network, showcasing its ongoing initiatives to create gender-sensitive legislatures. She also shared insights from the CWP’s Gender Sensitizing Parliaments Guidelines, offering practical recommendations for integrating gender perspectives into parliamentary structures and processes.
Panel Discussions
A distinguished panel of speakers enriched the workshop with their expertise. Hon. Justice Peter Jamadar of the Caribbean Court of Justice provided insights into the intersection of gender equality and justice systems, while Monique Long, Planning and Coordination Specialist for UN Women Caribbean, emphasized the importance of targeted strategies to achieve gender equity in parliamentary settings. Eilish Elliott, Deputy Director of Programme Management at ParlAmericas, added her perspective on the role of cross-organizational collaboration in fostering gender responsiveness. The workshop also encouraged the exchange of best practices among participants, providing a platform for delegates to share experiences and challenges in promoting gender-sensitive legislation and representation.
Broad Representation
The workshop attracted a diverse group of Commonwealth Parliamentarians, including several presiding officers from the CPA Caribbean, Americas, and Atlantic Region. Delegations from The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Guyana, and Dominica participated actively in the sessions. Observers from the Parliament of Uganda were also in attendance, reflecting the workshop’s significance beyond the Caribbean.
Strengthening Gender-Responsive Governance
Throughout the event, delegates explored strategies to strengthen parliaments’ ability to address gender disparities and meet the diverse needs of all citizens. The discussions underscored the importance of embedding gender equality across all parliamentary functions, from legislation and oversight to constituency engagement.
The presence of high-ranking officials and experts demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering inclusive governance. The workshop’s collaborative approach also highlighted the vital role of partnerships among regional and international organizations in driving progress toward gender-responsive governance.
