Basseterre, St. Kitts (July 13, 2005): Citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis are being invited to a forum in which they will hear expert information on the issue of all forms of discrimination against women.
Two experts in Human Rights and Caribbean Social Development - Chancellor Desiree Bernard, former chairperson on the committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women and children and Professor Joycelin Massiah, former Regional Programme Director of UNIFEM will host the forum.
The two-lady team of gender-justice experts will be guests of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis over a two day period starting July 21 and will be exposed to a number of media houses for interviews.
They hope to focus on the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), - a 21-article document to which76 countries including St. Kitts and Nevis are party - ensures that state parties comply with their CEDAW undertakings.
Given the significance of the Optional Protocol as an International enforcement mechanism for the advancement of gender equality, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) is undertaking a programme aimed at providing information on it.
Apart from the public lecture scheduled for July 21 at the University centre at 7p.m., the team will visit several government officials including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Gender Affairs Hon. Sam Condor, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon Timothy Harris, the Attorney General, the Solicitor General, representatives of local womens organizations and other NGOs and community-based organizations among others.
The focus of these meetings will be the content of the Optional Protocol, its significance in the Caribbean and the way forward in carrying out its mandate.
Minister Condor says he looks forward to the visit of these two experts as they help to stimulate action in the critical area of accountability on the issue of equality for women.
The minister alluded to the opening of the democratic institute approximately a month ago which seeks to address the specific issue of women in decision making at the highest political levels.
He added that his ministry would glean ideas and strategies from the UNIFEM representatives and advance their already keen attention to the development of women.
