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We work to advance gender equality, women’s rights and women’s empowerment in all social, economic and political spheres.
Main page for this area of work
Event
On International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, The Commonwealth Secretariat is holding a webinar on 'Commonwealth Perspectives on Tackling Harassment and Violence at Work'.
More than 200 women have completed a Women Economic Entrepreneurship Training (WEET) programme, delivered in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat, to empower them with the skills to establish their own businesses.
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Commonwealth empowers female entrepreneurs through training programme in Pakistan
The Commonwealth Secretariat and NO MORE Foundation are launching a new “Join The Chorus” initiative to help the 54 member countries tackle an alarming rise in domestic and sexual violence during the COVID-19 pandemic while urging leaders to make prevention a top priority in rebuilding efforts.
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Commonwealth Says NO MORE launches initiative to prevent domestic and sexual violence in 54 countries
IPS spoke to Commonwealth Secretary-General the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC about the Association’s climate initiatives, the unique challenges faced by small states, its focus on gender mainstreaming and access to financing for critical adaptation and mitigation projects.
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In a Watershed Year for Climate Change, the Commonwealth Secretary-General calls for Urgent, Decisive and Sustained Climate Action
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A collection of “Join the Chorus” resources designed to prevent domestic and sexual violence, including a public service message, will be launched at a special event on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 20 September.
The Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) have given their backing to an initiative to get women more involved in politics and parliamentary leadership.
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Commonwealth joins effort to involve more women in politics
21 June 2021 to 22 June 2021
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This two-day interactive workshop is part of the Commonwealth Secretariat's efforts to foster virtual dialogue through its Inclusive Dialogue and Women's Political Participation webinar series.
The inaugural meeting of the Commonwealth Women’s Ministers Action Group opened yesterday with calls for strong gender equality measures.
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Commonwealth women’s affairs ministers back strong actions on gender equality
Women and girls have been discussing how to acquire cutting-edge ICT skills during an online seminar backed by the Commonwealth Secretariat and Google.
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Discussion on how to build women and girls’ digital skills at Commonwealth and Google event
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Women’s affairs ministers will meet virtually on 10 May to review and strengthen action on gender equality and women’s empowerment in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Commonwealth Secretariat is partnering with Google for a virtual event to discuss the experiences of women and girls in obtaining the skills to thrive in the digital world.
As part of a series of virtual events to celebrate International Women’s Day and Commonwealth Day last week, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, was joined in conversation by Kate Gilmore, Fellow at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy of Harvard University.
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In Conversation: Secretary-General Patricia Scotland QC and Kate Gilmore share their journeys as women leaders
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has today been recognised with an award for her work on gender equality and the empowerment of women in Kenya and the Commonwealth.
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Secretary-General Receives Kenyan Gender Equality Award
Among the greatest gifts with which I have been blessed were parents who instilled in me a deep-rooted sense of identity, and the unequivocal belief that there was no difference between what a boy and a girl could achieve.
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International Women’s Day: To change the world, women must choose to challenge
The Secretary-General has praised the leadership of women across the Commonwealth during the COVID-19 pandemic and says it is vital they keep up the momentum as equal partners in driving recovery.
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Women show the way to COVID-19 resilience, says Commonwealth Secretary-General
8 March 2021 to 8 March 2021
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On International Women’s Day, the Commonwealth Secretariat will host a virtual event to put a spotlight on women’s leadership in responding to COVID-19 and charting an equitable recovery.
5 March 2021 to 5 March 2021
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In the lead up to International Women’s Day, the Commonwealth Secretariat will be celebrating women’s contributions to ocean science. Secretary General Baroness Scotland will introduce this special web event highlighting inspiring stories of women from across the Commonwealth who are challenging gender norms through their work in ocean industries.
The Commonwealth Secretariat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with eXXpedition, a non-profit organisation that runs all-women sailing expeditions to research the causes of, and solutions to, marine plastic pollution.
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Commonwealth joins forces with all-women sailing crew to fight plastic pollution
The Gambia has announced plans to launch a national ‘NO MORE’ campaign against domestic and sexual violence.
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The Gambia announces plans to launch national ‘NO MORE’ campaign against domestic violence
To mark Human Rights Day, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland writes about the need for legislation and policies to ensure that wherever possible girls remain in school. Girls generally experience more barriers to education than their male counterparts, and this has been exacerbated yet further by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Opinion: Commonwealth Secretary-General says Covid-19 threatens girls’ access to education
Violence against women and girls is pervasive. The Pacific is not immune, with prevalence rates of violence against women and girls in most of the region’s countries much higher than the global average of 35 per cent.
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Blog: Samoa’s response to violence against women and girls can guide other countries
The Commonwealth Secretary-General led a panel of government, civil society and tech industry representatives in condemning the “silent pandemic” of online abuse directed at women.
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Panel calls for an end to cyber-bullying
From Fiango Kumba in the South West region of Cameroon to Mumius Kakamega county in Western Kenya, two different but interwoven stories emerge of young people committed to ensuring peace in their communities and beyond.
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Blog: How young people are leading the march towards peace and security
The Commonwealth advocates sport as a vehicle for development and peacebuilding. Given its popularity and unequivocal prominence in the rich tapestry of the Commonwealth’s heritage, sport has huge potential to drive social change – and accelerate gender equality – across member states.
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Blog: How sport can fight gender-based violence