Advancing women in politics a priority in Caricom’s Regional Gender Equality Strategy – SG

Leaders from across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are placing the advancement of women in the political arena at the forefront of the Regional Gender Equality Strategy, recognising that meaningful participation of women in decision-making roles is essential to achieving equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development.
CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett, at this year’s Caribbean Women’s Leadership Conference held on June 18, 2025, in Christ Church, Barbados, highlighted that globally significant strides have been made in advancing the inclusion of women in the parliamentary arena.
Research from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which regularly publishes data on the participation of women in national parliaments, shows that as of 2024, women hold approximately 26.9% of parliamentary seats worldwide, up from 11.3% in 1995.
Focusing on the Caribbean region, Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett noted that despite the emergence of several formidable women leaders within the community, women remain significantly under-represented at the highest levels of political leadership.
Currently, only two of CARICOM’s fifteen member states have women serving as heads of state, with a third expected to join this group in the near future.
“Only 2 of our 15 Member States – Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago – have a woman as head of government at this time. We are expecting another to be installed as Head of State and Government next month in Suriname.”
Dr Barnett asserted that addressing the persistent leadership gap is not only urgent but will stand as a central focus of the Regional Gender Equality Strategy, underscoring CARICOM’s commitment to advancing women in political decision-making roles.
“Addressing the gender parity gap with respect to women’s political representation is therefore a priority of the CARICOM Regional Gender Equality Strategy which is being prepared and which we hope will be finalised soon.”
This renewed commitment reflects a regional understanding that women’s voices must be amplified in parliaments, cabinets, and leadership positions to effectively shape policies that address the diverse needs of Caribbean societies.
By integrating this priority into the broader gender equality framework, CARICOM aims to not only address existing disparities but also to build more resilient democracies that reflect the true diversity of their populations.
Draft CARICOM Gender Equality Strategy
The draft CARICOM Regional Gender Equality Strategy provides the framework for targeted interventions sensitive to the unique challenges faced by our Caribbean nations, accelerating progress toward the SDGs.
The region is rich in diversity, culture, and resilience. However, gender disparities persist in economic participation, political representation, education, governance, the environment and social inclusion. The draft Gender Equality Strategy for CARICOM is anchored with all the issues highlighted in regional consultations and validations, both virtual and in person, paying particular attention to regional nuances and challenges and ensuring its implementation will be contextually relevant.
The strategy prioritises the economic empowerment of women, equitable access to education and lifelong learning and healthcare for all, as well as the elimination of violence against women and girls who are disproportionately affected by the scourge.
Furthermore, the strategy promotes a multi-stakeholder approach involving governments, civil society, the private sector, and international organisations. Collaboration and partnerships are central to addressing the multifaceted nature of gender inequality effectively. The central goal is the implementation of a strategy that provides a roadmap for achieving the region’s vision of a violence-free and peaceful existence for every Caribbean citizen.