On the sidelines of the second day of the global policy forum dedicated to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women, Minister Turner held bilateral discussions with a senior official in the Government of the People’s Republic of China, Lin Yi, Vice President and Member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women’s Federation.

Their talks explored various initiatives where women in Antigua and Barbuda would be able to benefit from expanded opportunities in areas such as capacity development, skills training, and entrepreneurship.

He further shared his Ministry’s resolve to establish a gender-based Violence Shelter in Antigua and Barbuda, where survivors would be able to receive longer term shelter support from abusive situations. The shelter will also provide access to counselling and legal assistance and various other support and empowerment services, providing women with the necessary resources and guidance to rebuild their lives.

Voluntary organization, International Health Outreach (IHO), has been partnering with the Directorate of Gender Affairs to advance the project and Minister Turner is hoping to tap into the resources of partner governments to secure funding support.

Joining the Minister during the discussions were First Secretary in Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations Glentis Thomas and Project Officer at the Directorate of Gender Affairs Ashlea Ambris.

Meantime, the delegation of Antigua and Barbuda also engaged in a formal bilateral meeting with officials from the gender section of the Commonwealth Secretariat, to discuss plans for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), taking place in Antigua and Barbuda in November.

The discussions centered specifically around the Women’s Forum, which will take place on the margins of the CHOGM Meeting and will attract the attendance of heads of states, women parliamentarians, intranational development agencies, and civil society representatives.