In continuation of the rotational meeting of the Gender & Social Inclusion Units (GSIUs) across all Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions of Government, the Ministry of Public Works had the singular honor to have hosted this month's edition, bringing together stakeholders from diverse perspectives.
Among other things, the meeting focused on the review of their Terms of Reference to ensure that it is synchronized across all GSIUs, a review of past activities aimed at measuring reasonable outcomes, and an introduction to the Inaugural Launch of the Gender Training for GSIU Members on the UN Woman platform.
Assistant Minister for Administration & Acting Deputy Minister for Administration, Mrs. Julian Morias-Johnson, remarked on behalf of the Minister of Public Works who is currently honoring an invitation to attend the Harvard Ministerial Forum held at the Harvard University in the United States, “As we proceed with our agenda, let us remember that promoting gender equality and social Inclusion is not just a moral imperative, but a crucial step towards achieving sustainable development and social justice. Together, we can empower marginalized voices, dismantle barriers, and ensure that our initiativs are reflective of the diverse needs of those we serve”. At the same time, Mrs. Johnson thanked the participants for their steadfast commitment and efforts towards the very sensitive endeavor to stand up for social justice.
Also speaking was the Deputy Minister for Research, Policy, & Planning at the Ministry of Gender, Children, & Social Protection, Curtis V. Dorley, who emphasized the importance of mainstreaming gender perspectives across our policies and programs. Minister Dorley reaffirmed the GSIUs collective commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of gender, can participate and thrive. “Gender Mainstreaming is not just a policy mandate, but a fundamental driver of sustainable development and social justice. And we do that by integrating gender considerations into all of our initiatives, addressing gender disparities, unlocking new opportunities, and ensuring that no one is left behind”; he concluded.
In her presentation, the National Program Officer of the UN Woman, Aisha Kamara-Kolubah, encouraged women across these institutions to take advantage of the training opportunities that are offered by the UN Women on its platform, adding that it will help them gain deeper insights into complex policy intricacies regarding gender mainstreaming & integration, and make them as much as competitive to their male counterparts.
The Director of the Gender & Social Inclusion Unit at the Ministry of Public Works concluded the meeting with a vote of thanks. She indicated that the meeting was a big success considering the broad convergence of stakeholders from different walks of life, who had come to lend support to the fight for gender equality. Madam Irene Bedell-Smith encouraged her counterparts to maintain focus on the ultimate goal, and reaffirmed her institutions' commitment to this endeavor.
