If young people are socialized in a gender-unbiased setting and are taught to respect men and women equally, the future would certainly hold much more promise than the present. Hence, it is necessary that action is taken to transform negative and discriminatory attitudes into more positive and supportive feelings which would enable women to have a stronger foothold in their endeavor to eliminate discrimination and achieve equality. In the words of Ms Myrna
Driedger, MLA, of Manitoba, the Canadian Member on the CWP Steering Committee, “perhaps it should be about building a new house, not breaking the glass ceiling”.
International action Delegates expressed the importance of carrying out an analysis of international declarations, covenants, treaties, conventions and optional protocols that cover issues concerning women which have been ratified by each country. It is also necessary to consider the manner in which each country is implementing and enforcing the articles of each instrument that they have been ratified. Ms Ogunsanya explained that
research is already under way regarding the extent to which all international agreements have been signed by African states. Similar to Africa, the issue faced by many
countries which have already ratified a number of conventions and protocols on women is the difficulty of enforcing them.
The role of the CPA as an
advocate of change was said by delegates to be crucial. The CPA offers a level playing field to Members of all Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures, whether they are from an industrial giant or a small island nation. Members from each and every
jurisdiction get the opportunity to interact with each other and discuss their issues as equals. Therefore, it is a suitable platform upon which issues of the rights and roles of women can be taken up.
It was proposed to request that
more time be allocated to CWP sessions in future Commonwealth Parliamentary Conferences in the hope of discussing their pressing concerns at length. In the quest to make women a part of the mainstream, the CWP as a group holds a vital position. Female leaders within the CPA must break new ground in developing the organization into an organization that is even more sensitive to the issues of women, it was argued. Singing the complete anthem of
CWP with much joy and enthusiasm, the delegates concluded the CWP session of the 58th
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