Gender Affairs makes progress in completing Beijing Declaration

By Abigayle McIntosh 

The Directorate of Gender Affairs ( DOGA ) continues to work on completing its report for the Beijing Declaration and platform for action.

The Department held a National Validation Meeting with key stakeholders and representatives from government and civil society for the review of the Beijing Declaration and platform for action report.

The organization said the recommendations from the validation exercise will be streamlined into the national report ahead of its submission.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is a landmark document that advances women’s rights and gender equality worldwide.

It was agreed upon during the 4th World Conference on Women in 1995. The declaration seeks to promote equality between women and men as a matter of human rights and a condition for social justice and is also a necessary and fundamental prerequisite for equality, development, and peace

In 1995, Antigua & Barbuda participated in the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, where they signed on and adopted the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) , a global agenda for women’s empowerment,

The BPFA outlines strategic objectives across twelve critical areas of concern, including leadership and gender-based violence.  The country is, therefore, obliged to report every five years.

Accomplishments from the initiative include the establishment of the department of gender affairs.