The Office of Gender Affairs hosted two one-day workshops on Gender Mainstreaming/ Analysis for gender focal points in government organisations and statutory bodies.

The main aim of the workshop was to advance gender awareness across the Virgin Islands and equip gender focal points with fundamental tools for gender analysis and gender mainstreaming.

Participants were also engaged in practical group exercises in gender analysis utilising gender and sex. These activities provided the opportunity for the focal points to gain first-hand knowledge of data analysis from a gender perspective; thus the importance of developing policies and programmes in the workplace and the wider community.

Gender Affairs Coordinator, Ms. Patricia Hackett facilitated the workshops that form a part of the Office’s mandate to eliminate all forms of gender-based discrimination.

Ms. Hackett underscored that gender analysis and mainstreaming are essential for addressing inequalities and inequities across various sectors in the Virgin Islands and across the Caribbean.

Ms Hackett said, “In the areas of health, men and women face different risks factors and barriers. It is therefore imperative to take a gendered approach to ensure that there is equality and equity in policies and programmes that cater to the diverse needs and promote more equitable access to services.”

The Gender Affairs Coordinator further added, “It was important that our gender focal points in the different government organisation and statutory bodies were trained in gender analysis and mainstreaming because integrating gender perspectives in our workplaces and the wider community is vital for growth and development.”

Miss Hackett said the focal points are the advocates in their respective organisations and will share their new knowledge with their colleagues and plan programmes/policies that are inclusive and sustainable, thereby ensuring that all groups can benefit from development and resilience building efforts in the Virgin Islands.

The Government of the Virgin Islands has as one of its top priorities to eliminate gender inequalities and inequities and discrimination against women, men and children in the Virgin Islands. The Ministry of Health and Social Development, through the Office of Gender Affairs, remains committed to these priorities.