WASHINGTON, DC – AS the global community prepares to observe International Women’s Day next week, the Organization of American States (OAS) is drawing attention to the role of digital transformation in advancing gender equality across the hemisphere.
Addressing Wednesday’s meeting of the OAS Permanent Council, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Ambassador to the OAS, Jacinth Henry-Martin, reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to gender equality and the protection of women’s rights in an increasingly digital world.
She noted that while accelerating digitalisation presents significant opportunities for inclusion and economic growth, it also creates new forms of exclusion and violence that disproportionately affect women and girls.
The ambassador warned that digital violence, online harassment and algorithmic bias can undermine women’s full participation in public life, weaken social cohesion and erode democratic resilience.
“In our context, where digital tools are increasingly central to governance, commerce and social interaction, St. Kitts and Nevis is committed to ensuring that no woman or girl is left behind or silenced in these spaces,” she said.
Henry-Martin highlighted the country’s ongoing digital transformation agenda, which includes the rollout of a secure national digital identity and authentication system. The initiative is designed to improve access to online government services within a rights-respecting and privacy-protective framework.
The debate, held under the theme ‘Women in the Digital Transformation of the Americas,’ underscored the role technology can play in advancing gender equality.
The ambassador said the government is also investing in capacity development in areas such as digital identity management, digital certification and information security, creating new opportunities for women professionals in the public service and across the Federation.
“We are complementing this with targeted efforts to build a pipeline of women and girls ready to lead in STEM and ICT,” she added. “Through our Girls in ICT engagements, St. Kitts and Nevis is equipping girls and young women with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in a digitally transformed world, positioning our federation to take full advantage of the digital economy."
She further explained that these initiatives promote community engagement, mentorship and collaboration, while responding to regional and global calls to expand girls’ participation in science and technology under safe and non-discriminatory conditions.
Henry-Martin also pointed to the National Gender Equality Policy and Action Plan 2022–2027, which commits St. Kitts and Nevis to gender-inclusive communication and collaboration with key agencies, including the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology and the Department of Gender Affairs. The policy seeks to leverage media, mathematics and digital platforms to challenge harmful norms and stereotypes.
Through this framework, she said, the government is working to mainstream gender considerations across all sectors — including ICT — so that women and girls can fully exercise their rights and contribute equally to national development.
