Jr. Minister of Gender Affairs (St. Kitts), the Hon. Isalean Phillip, recently attended the 83rd Session convening the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) at the UN Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Minister Phillip presented a report on behalf of the Federation and responded to questions posed by the UN committee on what the Federation has done to combat gender-based violence, plans to increase women’s participation in underrepresented sectors, create opportunities for economic empowerment and hopefully solicit UN agency technical assistance that can support SKN’s thrust to improve in every regard. 

According to Minister Phillip “Constructive criticism and valuable recommendations were made for us [SKN] to take immediate action on addressing gender-based violence, mainstreaming gender in plans for poverty alleviation, climate change adaptation and disaster management, reforming and amending legislation for equitable access and benefits to women and children, and implementing temporary special measures to nurture women’s economic empowerment, particularly in agriculture.” 

According ohchr.org, the CEDAW is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Adopted by the United Nations in 1979, CEDAW is the most important human rights treaty for women. The CEDAW Committee consists of 23 independent experts on women’s rights from around the world.