24 Nov 2015

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will, for the first time ever,  have on its agenda a women’s forum.

The women’s forum will be jointly organised by the Commonwealth secretariat and Malta government.

It would seek to amplify women voices as well as address lack of women leaders.

Participants are expected to agree on policies and targets for leaders to consider at the Friday meeting in Malta.

The forum would also seek to address a wide range of issues, such as education, technology, violence against women, health and the institutionalised exclusion of women in public bodies and private companies.

It came on the heels of a UN conference to ratify sustainable development goals (SDGs), where world leaders reaffirmed their commitment to gender equality and women empowerment.

Getting more women into decision-making positions was one of the 17 goals agreed upon in New York.

Again, the women’s forum would explore underlying barriers to women’s leadership as well as Commonwealth Secretariat programmes that helped governments to choose and implement strategies such as regulated and self-regulated quotas, targets and reserved seats.

The women’s forum would precede election of the new Commonwealth secretary general by heads of member states on Friday.

The race for the post included two women candidates from the African bloc of nations.

Botswana has presented candidate, Ms Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, who was, until May 2014, deputy secretary general (political) at the Commonwealth secretariat.

The other woman is Tanzanian foreign minister, Ms Bernard Membe.

Ms Masire-Mwamba’s vision for the Commonwealth is to drive initiatives that will ensure aa organisation that supports and engages member states effectively.

She is of the view that even as the Commonwealth pursues its political values, it should lend a credible voice in the discourse of global development issues besides having a special role in championing small states and vulnerable communities as well as broader membership.

As deputy secretary general, Ms Masire-Mwamba had provided support and leadership for the work of the Commonwealth on political, human rights, legal and youth development. She also appreciated some challenges facing the Commonwealth as well as insights into the organisation’s potential.

Meanwhile, the government of Antigua and Barbuda have nominated Sir Ronald Sanders for the secretary general position. Also vying for the post, is former Australian Liberal party leader, Mr Alexander Downer. Ends