Ten-year Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality to Commence in 2005

It is designed to tackle gender discrimination and enhance democracy, peace, the rule of law and human rights. The Action Plan was released at the conclusion of the Seventh Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting (7WAMM) in Nadi, Fiji Islands, held from 30 May to 2 June 2004. The Action Plan is also aimed at eradicating poverty, addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic and promoting the economic empowerment of women and the benefits from globalisation.

In a Communiqué issued at the close of the meeting, the 43 ministers from Commonwealth member countries who participated in 7WAMM agreed on the importance of developing policies and programmes to promote gender equality and to monitor their progress. The ministers affirmed that the principles of democracy require women’s equal participation and representation to achieve gender equality and sustainable development. They stressed the need for women to participate at all levels in peace-building, conflict prevention, mediation, post-conflict reconciliation and reconstruction initiatives. 

The ministers noted with concern the continuing violations of human rights, especially against women and girls, and advocated that member countries fulfil their international human rights obligations. They also recognised the growing problem of trafficking in women and children and emphasised the need to work together at regional and international levels to eliminate this exploitation. 

As 70 per cent of those living in poverty are women, the ministers said it was critical to facilitate economic empowerment through a multi-pronged approach. This included macroeconomic processes, an enabling environment for employment and increased access to productive sources such as land, property and financial services, besides increasing and improving girls’ educational opportunities.

Acknowledging the need for fairness, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon stated at the opening of the Meeting that gender equality helps to build more democratic societies in which citizens enjoy better education and improved health.  

“Gender equality does not only benefit women, it benefits everyone,” said the Secretary-General. “Women are the strongest link in the virtuous circle of growth and development: educating women leads to better health for the entire family, and better health means greater opportunities in the workforce and increased economic growth.” 

Mr McKinnon emphasised that the involvement of women is essential in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. He said the marginalisation of women is detrimental to humanity and called for the elimination of discrimination and inequality based on gender. “If you don’t allow half the world to play their part in solving these problems, you’re only going to get half the solutions.” 

The Secretary-General pointed out that women can play a crucial part in addressing some of today’s most pressing issues like alleviating poverty, preventing conflicts and combating HIV/AIDS. 

This point was underlined by the ministers, who recognised that HIV/AIDS imposes an unequal burden on women who often have primary responsibility in caring for the sick and dying, and of orphans. They noted that gender power imbalances can make it difficult for women and girls to negotiate safe sex or refuse unwanted sex, increasing their susceptibility to infection. The ministers expressed concern about the HIV/AIDS pandemic in many Commonwealth countries and pledged their commitment to programmes preventing its spread and addressing its impact on societies. 

Also at the opening of the Meeting, Fiji’s Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said women and gender equality must be mainstreamed in all government legislative efforts, policies, programmes and projects. The country’s Minister for Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, Adi Asenaca Caucau, added that gender mainstreaming is influenced by attitude rather than a change in policies towards women. She said the success of policies is dependent on the attitudes of those who have to accept and practice them.