Socially-imposed gendered roles can be a barrier to women and men’s full engagement in their economies

Minister of Public Service, Home Affairs, Labour and Gender Affairs, Virginia Albert Poyotte. UN Women photo/ Terniel St. Valle

Castries, Saint Lucia - July 2023: UN Women MCO Caribbean Representative Tonni Brodber told the Saint Lucia  Build Back Equal (BBE) Project National Steering Committee that “…if we want equality in our countries, we need to understand the differences - in terms of a woman's ability to engage in the economy and being a man, and being a young person… unfortunately women are put at a disadvantage in our society because of the expectations of the roles they are supposed to play, and sometimes their own self-imposed expectations about what their potential can be in a society.

UN Women MCO Caribbean Representative Tonni Brodber. UN Women photo/ Terniel St. Valle

We know the “what” as to how we can overcome this and make sure that all women and men are able to engage, and that if we really want to achieve sustainable development, we need to focus on those goals prioritized by the government of Saint Lucia. And women's resilience is critical to the ability to deliver on these goals.”

Global Affairs Canada is funding the BBE Project and UN Women MCO Caribbean is leading the implementation with UNFPA Caribbean office.

Minister of Public Service, Home Affairs, Labour and Gender Affairs, Virginia Albert Poyotte said the country has been paying close attention to the issue of gender equality, with the passage of the Domestic Violence Act over a year ago and establishing general focal points in each ministry to keep it in focus in budgeting and implementation. 

David-Éric Simard, First Secretary for Development, High Commission of Canada in Barbados. UN Women photo/ Terniel St. Valle

David-Éric Simard, First Secretary for Development, High Commission of Canada in Barbados said: “In Saint Lucia, Canada, really sees a partner who shares similar values and we cannot underscore that enough. You have made great progress towards achieving gender equality, but like most places in the world, much more can be accomplished if we remain resolute in being attentive to what our populations need to be ready to face the challenges of the modern world; and in the end, to live full and dignified lives.

We support #BuildBackEqual because we believe it has a comprehensive approach that will help increase women’s and vulnerable persons and groups’ ability to participate in every sphere of the modern day society in the formal economy and education.”