Envoy to OAS urges Americas’ continued push for gender equality

Barbados’ envoy to the Organisation of American States (OAS), Vic Fernandes, on Wednesday called for intensified efforts to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls across CARICOM nations and beyond.

He told the OAS Permanent Council in Washington of the urgent need to dismantle deep-rooted biases in legal, religious, and family structures that hinder progress.

Fernandes said: “Beyond the necessity for gender equality in all sectors of our societies, we remain troubled that violence against women and girls remains prevalent in all of our societies with an inherent prejudice in our religions, legal, and even family culture.”

Though he acknowledged there has been much progress made through international conventions and national policies, he emphasised that more must be done to remove outdated societal norms.

He said: “We must not only commit to doing so, we must also act to achieve it. In the CARICOM sub-region, our member states have not only ratified international conventions, but many of us have also introduced legislation and policy initiatives that actively promote the advancement of women.”

Despite advancements in the region over the years, which include Barbados where women hold top positions in government, including heads of state and government and deputy prime minister, Fernandes called on all OAS member states and the organisation itself to pay closer attention to the economic challenges faced by women and girls, particularly in regions where historical economic circumstances have led to persistent poverty.

He said: “As we look to the future in these uncertain times, the eradication of poverty must be viewed as a central objective of our collective agenda. A people-centred approach must be articulated as an imperative contributor to social inclusion, gender equality, and the empowerment of women. Women have an important role and a contribution to make as men, not only in government but as active participants in the use of skills and knowledge to expand opportunities and secure a better equality and a better quality of life for all of our countries.”