Members of Advance Planning Team from the Commonwealth Secretariat in The Bahamas, February 2023
The 13th Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministerial Meeting (13 WAMM) takes place in The Bahamas week beginning 21st August 2023.
Discussions at the 13th WAMM are expected to centre on accelerating Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment for Sustainable Development, more leadership positions for women in both public and private sectors, more political engagement at all levels, greater economic and entrepreneurial opportunities, and further strides “towards creating a world where the eradication of Gender-based violence is truly a reality.” The WAMM allows for the sharing of experiences and progress, the setting of new targets, strategies and actions and the strengthening and forging of partnerships.
First held in 1985, the Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting has been held triennially (every three years) since then. It provides the opportunity for Ministers, Senior Government Officials, civil society and private sector and partner agencies to explore and agree on workable strategies and solutions to gender disparities. The 13WAMM will also build on the recommendations arising from the Commonwealth Women’s Forum, held as a parallel event during the Kigali Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in June 2022.
A Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Action Group (CWAMAG) was established in May 2021 and has been monitoring the impact of COVID-19 gender equality in the Commonwealth and also monitoring the initiatives being rolled out across the Commonwealth to support gender equality and women and girls.