Saint Lucia has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing gender equality and strengthening justice systems for women and girls at the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, currently underway at the United Nations headquarters in New York, USA.
Representing Saint Lucia at the global forum in the Ministerial Segment, were Hon. Emma Hippolyte, Minister for Equity, Labour, Gender and Older Persons, Social Justice and Consumer Welfare, and Dr. Charmaine Hippolyte Emmanuel, Permanent Secretary in the department of Equity. The delegation, which also includes Saint Lucia’s Ambassador to the UN Her Excellency Menissa Rambally and other UN Permanent Mission staff, participated in high-level discussions and policy engagements focused on protecting the gains and accelerating the protection of rights and access to justice for women and girls worldwide.
Delivering Saint Lucia’s national statement to the international body, Minister Hippolyte underscored the country’s commitment to inclusive development under the Government’s ‘Putting People First’ agenda and the national call to move ‘Douvan ansanm, forward together’.
“It is a declaration of our shared belief that progress must be achieved for all, with all. Promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices, and addressing structural barriers faced by women and girls are not actions that benefit women alone, they are essential to sustainable national development,” the Minister stated.
Minister Hippolyte highlighted several initiatives undertaken by Saint Lucia to advance these goals. These include the establishment of a tripartite labour mechanism, the ratification of all fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organization, ongoing reforms to modernize the country’s Labour Act, including strengthening legislation to promote gender-equal caring responsibilities. Also underway is the development of a decent Work Country Programme, ensuring that labour policies remain inclusive and responsive to the needs of both women and men.
Addressing the issue of gender-based violence, the Minister pointed to recent institutional reforms that have strengthened conflict resolution and violence prevention measures within the national security framework. The Saint Lucian delegation further emphasized the unique vulnerabilities faced by Small Island Developing States, noting that global challenges such as climate change disproportionately affect women and vulnerable populations and rights-based and just societies cannot ignore this fact.
“Leaving anyone behind ultimately holds everyone back,” Minister Hippolyte told the international assembly. “We cannot advance if justice is uneven and rights remain the privilege of only a few.”
Saint Lucia expressed support for the recommendations outlined in the United Nations Secretary- General’s report to the Commission and called on member states to strengthen collective action to ensure the protection and fulfillment of rights for women and girls globally. Minister Hippolyte is attending round table discussions and exploring opportunities for support in the area of gender equality and the empowerment of older women for Saint Lucia.
The Commission on the Status of Women remains the United Nations’ principal intergovernmental body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Each year, ministers and government representatives from around the world gather to review progress, share best practices and commit to advancing policies that support women’s rights and participation in all aspects of society, through their support of and commitment to implement in the national contexts, the agreed conclusions which was adopted by the assembly on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
The event runs from March 9-19.