UN Women MCO Caribbean launched two transformative pilots to strengthen the Care Economy and Social Assistance Programmes through the Build Back Equal Project which is funded in part by Global Affairs Canada

Caribbean countries are demonstrating leadership in revising laws, expanding income and social protection for the most economically vulnerable, and strengthening child and elder care support. These commitments help ensure that women and men have the time and stability needed to pursue full-time employment. This is exactly the kind of action required to move the gender equality agenda forward.

The human rights of women — including the right to security, dignity, equality and justice — are core principles of international law. Violence against Women is a global crisis. It is a crisis here in the Caribbean too!

Lana Athanaze-Francis' dedication to excellence has propelled her far beyond the shores and shops of Dominica. Through opportunities with the Build Back Equal Project, a comprehensive approach to economic empowerment funded in part by the Government of Canada and being implemented by UN Women and UNFPA, Éclat Nova Luxuries has been showcased on international platforms, proving that small island businesses can compete globally.

For many, moving to the Caribbean conjures visions of serene beaches and easy living. For Mar Echevarria, a UN Volunteer and Gender and Development Specialist, it meant something far deeper—a chance to create impact from the ground up.

Migration has always been a force that binds the world together. Across borders and generations, the movement of people has driven cultural exchange, strengthened communities, and energized economies.

Crime and violence is a public health concern requiring solutions that stem from a human rights and gender-responsive approach. UN Women, through the Build Back Equal (BBE) project joined the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) and national stakeholders to develop a strategy that leverages the leadership and expertise of civil society organizations (CSOs) in tackling the social challenges.

UN Women works to safeguard the rights of women and girls who are among the more vulnerable of the affected persons in a crisis, ensuring they are at the centre and meaningfully participating in relief and recovery. These efforts provide critical protection from incidences of violence or, where these occur, they are able to safely access the needed services – health, shelter, psychosocial support, legal support and justice

Persistent gaps in access to finance, care support, and inclusive business ecosystems continue to limit the opportunities of women entrepreneurs and MSMEs; to respond to these challenges, the Joint SDG Fund Programme “Optimizing Innovative Finance for Underserved Groups to Build Resilience and Accelerate the SDGs in Antigua & Barbuda and Saint Lucia”—implemented by UN Women, UNDP and ITU—organized two National Forums on Business Partnerships for Gender Equality in Antigua and Barbuda and in Saint Lucia in November 2025, in close collaboration with national counterparts.

The digital world promised connection and empowerment – but for millions of women and girls, it has become a world of abuse. Digital violence is spreading at alarming speed fueled by artificial intelligence, anonymity, and the absence of effective laws and accountability

Hurricane Melissa is now ranked among the most powerful Atlantic storms on record and has caused widespread devastation across the Caribbean. The hurricane’s impact spans multiple countries—including Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas—resulting in large-scale displacement, infrastructural collapse, and humanitarian need.

Across the world, women and girls still shoulder most care work, as unequal norms and low investment in public systems continue to limit their time for education, leadership, decent work, and leisure. In 2024, women globally earned the equivalent of 41 fewer days of paid work than men, largely because of the time they spend on unpaid care. It’s time to build a world that recognizes, values, and shares care—with strong systems, real investment, and support across every life stage.

As Hurricane Melissa continues its destructive path through the Caribbean, the United Nations stands in full solidarity with the Government and people of Jamaica. The hurricane has brought with it devastating winds, life-threatening storm surges, and torrential rainfall, posing a significant threat to lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure across the island.

A commemorative event celebrating the Beijing +30 Platform for Action was recently held at UN House Barbados where various dignitaries and distinguished guests were given an opportunity to reflect and inspire

UN Women under the BBE Project, the Government of Canada-funded project, sponsored 17 Women who own MSMEs to a 3-day training facilitated by the Centre for Enterprise Development (CED) exploring the principles and practical application of contingency planning through Business Continuity Plans (BCPs).

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At the recently concluded XVI Regional Conference on Women in LAC, the Tlatelolco Commitment was approved Friday, August 15, 2025, to establish a decade of action (2025-2035) in Latin America and the Caribbean to accelerate the achievement of substantive gender equality and the care society through political, economic, social, cultural and environmental transformations.

The XVI Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean was inaugurated August 13th by the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, who stressed the need to recognize the contribution and the rights of all women and to avert rollbacks at a national, regional and global level.

Women political leaders and aspiring women leaders recently participated in the “Empowering Women Who Run: Capacity-Building Workshop for Women in Politics - Jamaica”, exploring practical strategies for overcoming barriers unique to women in politics. The workshop, facilitated by UN Women MCO-Caribbean and hosted by CIWiL fostered a collaborative environment where women could share their journeys, exchange ideas, and focus on developing leadership skills and improving governance practices to more effectively promote gender equality.

The UN in Guyana, in collaboration with the UN Global Compact Network Caribbean and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry convened local private sector representatives to discuss the role of private enterprise in building inclusive, sustainable economies through responsible business conduct. The close to 30 participants business leaders, policymakers, and development partners focused on aligning with Guyana’s priority targets under the Sustainable Development Goals