A SIGNIFICANT LANDMARK ON THE PATH TO WOMEN’S EQUALITY


to equality so does financial independence. The path to this independence will vary but include employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. The fact that many poor households are headed by women reflects the urgency to address the economic opportunities for women. The development of appropriate policies and allocation of resources to ensure women have financial independence depends on accurate current data and the participation and advocacy of civil society women’s organisation.


The emphasis on women’s entrepreneurship was reflected throughout the statement. The lack of progress in traditional corporate leadership positions was observed with concern by the participants. There was a call to strengthen systems to increase representation with a minimum of 30% and target timelines to meet a target of


“Overall the Women’s Forum provided an invaluable opportunity not only for women of the Commonwealth but for all the countries of the Commonwealth, in particular, the Heads of Governments and Ministers who have the authority and opportunity to make changes.”


50% of women in decision- making at all levels through voluntary or regulatory measures that were appropriate for the situation. This slow progress in the corporate sector has however highlighted the need for women to be supported to provide their own economic and financial opportunities. This approach is reflected in the outcomes from the media, technology and social development sessions. Overall the Outcome Statement reflects the frustration of women to get on and develop their own skills and opportunities but need the support of political and corporate decision makers to remove the unnecessary constraints on women to ‘be all that you can’. The Outcome Statement however also reflected the sobering reality for many women who are subjected to gender- based violence. It is worth recording in full the statement relating to gender-based violence because it identifies the need to address this issue to enable any progress for to


be made by women to take control of their own lives for their own benefit and for the sustainable development of their communities. The discussion on gender-based violence “underscored the need to address the wide spectrum and the root causes of power and control of sexual and gender- based violence (such as sexual and cyber harassment, stalking, rape, prostitution, trafficking, pornography, Female Genital Mutilation, domestic violence, forced and early marriage), as it continues to undermine the health, dignity, security and autonomy of its victims, yet it remains shrouded in a culture of silence. Noted the increasing rife social taboos and endemic cultural practices, which allows child marriages, female genital mutilation/cutting, sexual violence and transmission of diseases on women and girls in the Commonwealth.” Overall the Women’s Forum provided an invaluable opportunity not only for women of the Commonwealth but


for all the countries of the Commonwealth, in particular, the Heads of Governments and Ministers who have the authority and opportunity to make changes. The Commonwealth is a unique organisation that through its commitment to the values of the rule of law has a real opportunity to provide a global example of best practice to enable women to fully develop their potential, not only for their own wellbeing and that of their families, but their communities. The fact that the Heads of Government have agreed to the Women’s Forum to be held before each CHOGM, is a significant step on the path to full equality for the women and girls of the Commonwealth. While still much is to be done on a country level, the leadership of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association will provide the support for member states to progress the matters raised in the Outcome statement.


The Parliamentarian | 2016: Issue One | 43


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