UN Women to Advocate for Gender Equality at Global Commonwealth Event
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For the first time in history, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will be held in a Pacific Small Island Developing State (SIDS), as leaders from 56 member countries gather for the biennial event in Apia, Samoa, from 21 to 26 October. This historic meeting highlights the urgent and unique challenges faced by SIDS, including the severe impacts of climate change, economic vulnerabilities, and gender inequality, by bringing global leaders from across the Commonwealth into the Pacific, ensuring their realities are at the forefront of the global agenda.
It is not the first time Samoa has hosted an event of such significance. In 2014, Samoa hosted the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), where the Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway was adopted. This document called for urgent action and support for SIDS' sustainable development priorities, with gender equality identified as one of the key areas. Now, taking place just a few months after the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), where leaders committed to the 'Antigua and Barbuda Accord for SIDS (ABAS) – Renewed Declaration for Resilient Prosperity for SIDS,' the Forum provides a valuable opportunity to build on this momentum and drive continued progress.
Alongside CHOGM, the fourth Commonwealth Women’s Forum will be held from 21 to 22 October 2024. This forum is set to shape the broader CHOGM discussions, with a focus on four key areas: women in leadership, women’s economic empowerment, gender and climate change, and ending violence against women and girls.
Speaking on behalf of the Samoa UN Country Team, UN Samoa Resident Coordinator Themba Kalua stated:
“The Commonwealth Women’s Forum is a pivotal opportunity to showcase the strides made toward gender equality in Samoa, the Pacific, and the broader Commonwealth. Women play an essential role in building resilient communities, and through this Forum, we can shine a light on their contributions to shaping 'One Resilient Common Future.' The UN is proud to stand as a partner in this critical initiative. We hope the Forum will ignite the political will and strengthen partnerships necessary to eliminate violence against women, enhance women's political participation, and achieve economic empowerment for all women.”
Women in Leadership
There are only 15 countries where women hold 50 per cent or more of the positions of Cabinet Ministers. At the current rate of progress, gender parity in national legislative bodies will not be achieved before 2063. In the Pacific, where societies are predominantly patriarchal, only 20 per cent of parliamentarians are women. (UN Women, 2024)[1]
The CHOGM Women's Forum is crucial in highlighting women's leadership in the region, as it brings together influential women leaders to share their experiences and solutions. This collaboration strengthens the visibility of women's roles in shaping the Pacific's future. The UN Women Fiji MCO Representative, Delphine Serumaga, will also be in attendance, reinforcing the importance of recognising and empowering women as key drivers of sustainable development. She emphasised,
“The CHOGM Women's Conference can help shape how the Commonwealth views and supports gender equality and women’s empowerment. This is the platform for Commonwealth members to share and learn from one another, while also offering an opportunity to experience the unique challenges and successes of the Pacific.”
Fostering Connections and Supporting Women Entrepreneurs
In employment, women are disproportionately represented in unpaid and vulnerable roles. For example, in Samoa, many women involved in subsistence farming identify as 'unemployed', which severely underrepresents their contributions to the local economy (UN Women, 2022).[2]
To highlight women’s contributions to the economy, UN Women has integrated community women into CHOGM-related activities. The Manaia Women’s Night Market, organised by Samoa’s Ministry of Women, Community, and Social Development with support from UN Women, will run during CHOGM from 21 to 25 October, showcasing women-led enterprises. Vendors from Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Samoa, supported by the Markets for Change project implemented by UN Women and UNDP, funded by the Government of Australia, will participate in this marketplace, spotlighting women’s economic empowerment.
Ending Violence Against Women
Gender-based violence remains a critical issue worldwide. Nearly one in three women globally have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner, non-partner sexual violence, or both at some point in their lives (30 per cent of women aged 15 and older). In the Pacific, the statistics are even more alarming—up to 68 per cent of Pacific women have reported experiencing physical or sexual violence by a partner during their lifetime in countries where prevalence studies have been conducted.
UN Women provides technical assistance and support to governments and civil society organisations across the Pacific addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG). This support focuses on promoting the adoption and implementation of laws, policies, and plans to prevent gender-based violence and to strengthen access to quality services.
A key initiative from Samoa’s Ministry of Women, Community, and Social Development (MWCSD) will see the launch of a groundbreaking National Prevention Framework during the CHOGM Women’s Forum.
Climate Action
The Pacific and SIDS are on the front lines of climate change and have assumed unique leadership roles in areas such as climate action, disaster risk reduction, and the protection of the world’s oceans. Their firsthand experiences with climate challenges have driven them to advocate for urgent global action and promote sustainable practices that protect both their communities and the planet.
As hosts, Samoa will also unveil a groundbreaking national report on gender and climate change at the CHOGM Women’s Forum. This report will highlight the critical intersections between gender and environmental resilience, aiming to inspire action and strengthen the region’s approach to climate challenges.
Celebrating Progress Towards Beijing +30
Looking ahead to the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action in 2025, the Commonwealth Women’s Forum serves as a key moment for reflecting on progress in gender equality and catalysing further action. It provides a space for Pacific and SIDS leaders to ensure their unique challenges are recognised internationally. It also presents an important opportunity to highlight the key gender equality commitments made at the recent 15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women, held in the Republic of the Marshall Islands from 22 to 24 July 2024. The conference celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Pacific Platform for Action on Gender Equality and the Revitalised Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration. CHOGM presents a unique opportunity to celebrate successes, address regional challenges, and advocate for inclusive policies that benefit women and girls across all spheres of society.