(Commonwealth Union) – The 2024 Commonwealth Women’s Forum held in conjunction with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2024), concluded with a significant focus on women’s empowerment and gender equality. This high-profile event, which gathered women leaders, activists, and policymakers from across the Commonwealth, provided an essential platform to address the most pressing challenges facing women today. Permanent Secretary Mainga Kabika led the Gender Division’s strong delegation at the forum.
Held in Apia, Samoa, the Commonwealth Women’s Forum featured in-depth discussions and strategic planning sessions focused on advancing gender equality within the Commonwealth. The event not only fostered dialogue among female leaders but also laid the groundwork for future collaboration and action on gender-related issues, ensuring that women’s voices remained central to discussions on global progress and policy development.
Among the prominent figures in attendance was the delegation from Zambia, led by Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, SC. The delegation also included Mainga Kabika, Permanent Secretary of the Gender Division in the Office of the President; Kangwa Chileshe, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Sport; and Etambuyu Anamela, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their participation highlighted the importance of women’s involvement in policymaking and leadership across diverse sectors. The delegation also had the honor of being accompanied by several distinguished diplomats, including Ms. Macenje Mazoka, the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom, and Ambassador Elias Munshya, Australia’s High Commissioner, both of whom contributed their expertise and support to the forum.
One of the core features of the pre-CHOGM sessions was the presentation of national reports by member states, each aligned with the event’s theme of promoting gender equality. These reports served as a reflection of the progress made by different nations, as well as the challenges that remained in achieving gender equity. The forum became a space for open dialogue, with state representatives engaging in intense discussions about best practices and collaborative efforts. The conversations emphasized the need for shared actions and policy recommendations aimed at empowering women and youth, as well as driving transformative change in society.
The discussions at the forum also touched on climate change, particularly how climate-related challenges disproportionately affect women. This highlighted the need for gender-responsive strategies to address environmental concerns, ensuring that women’s perspectives were included in climate action plans. Economic empowerment was another central topic, with speakers emphasizing the importance of creating opportunities for women in business, technology, and leadership roles. The forum called for increased investment in programs that fostered women’s participation in the workforce, offering them the tools and resources necessary to succeed in an evolving global economy.
The Commonwealth Women’s Forum was officially opened by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, who set the tone for the discussions by underscoring the importance of gender equality in the broader context of the Commonwealth’s work. In her opening speech, Scotland stressed the need for continued efforts to break down barriers to women’s advancement and to create a future where women and girls have equal opportunities in all areas of life. Her remarks resonated with the forum’s goal to ensure that women were not only included in discussions but were also central to driving sustainable development, peace, and prosperity.
The forum concluded with the achievement of another milestone in the Commonwealth’s commitment to gender equality. The Heads of Government selected Ghana’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Honorable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. This historic appointment was seen as a significant step in advancing the cause of gender equality, as it marked the election of a woman to one of the Commonwealth’s most influential positions. The selection of Botchwey reflects the Commonwealth’s ongoing efforts to prioritize gender equality at the highest levels of leadership, ensuring that women continue to shape global decisions and policies.
