Challenges and Achievements of Women in the Caribbean

Excellency, Khek Caimealy, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Cambodia to China,

Women Ambassadors of the Caribbean in China, 

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It's an honour to speak about the challenges and achievements of women in the Caribbean. 

Women in the Caribbean region face numerous obstacles, from gender-based violence to unequal pay and limited access to education and healthcare.

According to the United Nations, the Caribbean has the highest rate of intimate partner violence in the world. Despite efforts to address this issue, including through legislation and education campaigns, rates of violence against women remain high.

Despite these challenges, women in the Caribbean have made significant achievements in various fields. Women have played a vital role in politics, with leaders such as Kamla Persad Bissessar, Portia Simpson Miller, and Mia Mottley paving the way for female representation in high political office.

Women in the Caribbean have also made significant contributions to the arts and culture. Artists such as Olive Senior and Jamaica Kincaid have garnered international acclaim for their literary contributions, while performers such as Alison Hinds and Grace Jones have made significant contributions to music and fashion.

Moreover, Caribbean women have been at the forefront of advancements in healthcare and medical research. Researchers such as Dr. Christine Curry, Dr. Dorothy Ferary, and Dr. Marsha Naidu have all made significant contributions to medical research.

Today when I stand here as the UN Resident Coordinator in China, I feel honoured and proud to be in the presence of 4 brilliant female Ambassadors from the Caribbean to China. Your Excellencies, Amb Paulette Bethel of the Bahamas, Amb Choo Anyin Guyana, Amb Pick Fung Ho-Chong Suriname and Amb Analisa Low of Trinidad and Tobago, your career trajectory will serve as an inspiration to countless women. You personify important milestones in the advances the Caribbean has made. 

Women's participation in the workforce has increased significantly, although women still occupy fewer leadership positions than men.  Nevertheless, the work of women like Dr. Rosalind Gabriel, a Grenadian researcher who has made groundbreaking discoveries in the pharmaceutical industry, demonstrates the significant impact of women in various industries.

Additionally, the women's rights movement in the Caribbean has made significant strides in highlighting pressing issues such as gender inequality, violence against women, and reproductive rights. Caribbean feminist scholars and activists have contributed significantly to global discussions about the importance of intersectional approaches to gender politics.

In conclusion, the Caribbean is a region with a rich history of female leadership, achievement and activism, but much work remains. Women still face significant structural challenges and inequalities. However, their achievements serve as important examples of resilience, determination, and the possibilities of fighting for gender equality, justice and human rights.

Let me conclude by congratulating Guyana for having been elected to the UN Security Council and to Trinidad and Tobago for being elected as the next President of the UN General Assembly. Thank you.