Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne on Monday addressed the High-level meeting to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing+30), reaffirming Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to transform the promises of Beijing into concrete progress for women and girls.
In his statement, the Prime Minister underscored national gains since 1995—more women (especially young women) in leadership, higher female university graduation rates than males, pay-equity reforms, and stronger legal protections—while acknowledging the global challenge that gender-based violence and sexual offences continue to pose. He stressed that gender equity is essential to justice, development, and the sustainability of families and communities, and is especially vital for small states confronting the impacts of climate change.
“The Beijing Declaration is not a relic of the past—it is a living promise,” Prime Minister Browne said. “Antigua and Barbuda will stand firm, work harder, and speak louder—because the rights, dignity, and potential of women and girls must never again be negotiable.”
During his presentation, Prime Minister Browne highlighted a number of National Commitments to include;
- Accelerate implementation of all Beijing commitments, moving “from promise to action.”
- Resource gender equality work, even amid fiscal constraints, to ensure sustained delivery.
- Amplify women’s leadership in climate action, finance, and peacebuilding, and expand pathways to decision-making across public life; and
- Ensure equal pay for equal work, protect women from violence, and invest in health and education while opening doors to leadership at every level.
Prime Minister Browne called on the international community to act with urgency, courage, and a renewed spirit of commitment, noting that no nation can reach its full potential when half its people are held back. He urged Member States to recommit resources and political will so that equity becomes equality, and every woman and girl can live free, lead boldly, and achieve their fullest potential.
