The Commonwealth Women’s Forum opened in Samoa today with a call for renewed action on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls in the 56 member countries, representing one-third of humanity.
The forum, being held ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), brings together hundreds of delegates to examine the gains and gaping holes in progress in several key areas, such as getting women into leadership, ending violence and addressing multiple forms of discrimination, including age, disability, identity and poverty.
Despite ongoing global efforts to improve the lives of women and girls, gender inequality remains widespread, affecting every corner of the world.
Over the next two days, delegates will come up with concrete proposals to present to Commonwealth leaders, urging them to put stronger measures in place to tackle barriers and biases that stand in the way of women’s progress.
Addressing the joint forums opening ceremony in Apia on 21 October 2024, Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, the first woman to lead a Pacific Island member country of the Commonwealth, pledged to advance these proposals.
The Prime Minister said: “I look forward to the reports from the forums and take forward, as chair-in-office, some of these critical priorities you will present to leaders to set our compass for the future.”
In her remarks, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, the first woman to hold the post, spoke passionately about delivering on her promise to put women at the centre of the organisation’s work.
Reflecting on the musical performances of the opening ceremony, she remembered the voices of women and girls singing in harmony with supportive men and boys, highlighting that this unity was reflected in the diverse composition of the delegates at the forum.
The Secretary-General continued: “A day like this reminds us that women are at the core of progress across our Commonwealth.
“Yet, despite these successes, women continue to face significant hurdles.
“In far too many places, violence against women persists. Income inequality, structural discrimination and the exclusion of women from leadership opportunities still plague our world.”
She stressed that addressing these obstacles is not only a matter of justice but also a route to development, adding that women’s participation is necessary for building prosperous and peaceful societies.
“On our own, we are invisible. Together, we are invincible,” the Secretary-General told the delegates, urging them to work together to make gender equality not just an aspiration, but a reality for all.
Samoa’s Minister for Women, Community and Social Development, Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio’o echoed the need for urgent action.
“We are not just here to talk. We are here to take action,” she said. “Together, we are unstoppable. Together, we hold the power to drive meaningful, lasting change across the Commonwealth and the world.”
A key agenda item is women’s role in addressing environmental challenges.
Experts from government, environmental groups and civil society will explore ways to close gaps in representation, data, and financing to ensure that women are fully engaged in climate action, from policymaking to implementation.
Commenting on this issue, Myles K. Laroda, The Bahamas’ Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, drew from his country’s experience with category five Hurricane Dorian.
“Many people displaced by [Hurricane] Dorian were women and girls,” he said. “This underscores the urgent need for gender-responsive climate action. We must invest in women and girls as transformative agents of change.”
Speakers, including Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Tuvaluan Prime Minister Feleti Penitala Teo, women’s affairs ministers, and representatives of women’s advocacy organisations, will also address the gathering under the theme ‘Collective Action for a Resilient Commonwealth: Solidarity for Gender Equality’.
The Women’s Forum, concluding on 22 October 2024, is co-organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Government of Samoa.
