Media Center

Press Release

HEMISPHERIC COMMISSION WANTS MORE EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT WOMEN ENJOY THEIR RIGHTS TO THE FULLEST

Minister Jacqui Quinn-Leandro of Antigua and Barbuda, addressing the Organization of American States (OAS) today as President of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), urged relentless effort to achieve “more tangible results than ever for women and to make sure that they enjoy their rights to the fullest extent.”

The empowerment of women and gender equality “are prerequisites for achieving political, social, economic, cultural and environmental security among all peoples,” said Quinn-Leandro, who serves as her country’s Minister of Labor, Public Administration and Empowerment. This was the CIM President’s first address to the OAS Permanent Council, made up of member state diplomats and chaired by Uruguay’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador María del Luján Flores.

Quoting a statement issued at the historic 1995 World Conference on Women, held in Beijing, China, Quinn-Leandro stressed that “the advancement of women and the achievement of equality between women and men are matters of human rights and conditions for social justice.” She argued that every effort should be made to ensure that women play a role in the decision-making process in the public and private domains, and that they have access to resources and benefits of development.

“The CIM objectives of equality must be fulfilled not only because they are mandates but also because they are an indispensable component of the development process of our countries,” said the Antigua and Barbuda official, who was elected in November to a two-year term at the helm of the Inter-American Commission of Women.

Minister Quinn-Leandro renewed the appeal for the member states to provide the agency with additional human and financial resources to fulfill its mission to help the Americas achieve gender equality, explaining to the Permanent Council that the advancement of women “should not be seen in isolation as a women’s issue,” but rather as integral to the building of a sustainable, just and developed society. She noted as well that the political dialogue between the CIM and the Permanent Council is crucial to the success of efforts to “mainstream” gender in the OAS and throughout the countries of the hemisphere.

Member state ambassadors lauded the presentation by the CIM President, reiterating their governments’ support. The Ambassador of Belize to the OAS, Lisa Shoman, welcomed Quinn-Leandro’s particular emphasis on gender issues and gender rights as a matter of human rights, and reassured the CIM that it has the strong support of Belize and all the Central American states.

Established in 1928 at the Sixth International Conference of American States, the CIM marked its 79th anniversary on February 18, which was also celebrated as Women of the Americas Day. One of this OAS specialized agency’s principal objectives is to advance gender equity and equality in the Americas.

Reference: E-052/07