Spouses and partners of Commonwealth leaders are joining forces in a new initiative, aimed at accelerating action on some of the most pressing social issues facing young people, women and other vulnerable groups across the Commonwealth’s 56 member countries.
The ‘Commonwealth First Spouses Platform’ was inaugurated at a gathering in Antigua and Barbuda on 4 November, on the sidelines of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Established by Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon Shirley Botchwey, the platform builds on advocacy already led by many spouses and partners in their countries, connecting those efforts through a Commonwealth-wide initiative.
Using their public profiles and influence, spouses will work together to draw greater attention to issues, including youth mental health, sexual and gender-based violence, non-communicable diseases, students dropping out of school, skills development and the exclusion of people with disabilities.
The scale of these challenges is significant. Globally, nearly one in three women has experienced physical and/or sexual violence in her lifetime, one in seven young people aged 10–19 experiences a mental health condition, and around one in six people lives with a significant disability, according to the World Health Organization.
The platform will give spouses and partners a dedicated space to collaborate on shared priorities, exchange experiences and connect with organisations already working on these issues. They will also be able to draw on expertise, networks and support from the Commonwealth Secretariat and its coalition of over 100 accredited organisations.
A dedicated Commonwealth platform
Speaking ahead of the gathering, Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey said:
“Across the Commonwealth, far too many people suffer in silence or face exclusion. The consequences do not stop with one person. They ripple through families, weaken communities and hold back economies.
“For decades, the spouses and partners of Commonwealth Heads of Government have used their voices and influence to bring overlooked issues into the light, shift attitudes and break down stigma.
“Given the scale of these challenges, we need to go further and move faster. For the first time, we are bringing these individual efforts together through a dedicated Commonwealth platform. By pooling our networks, resources, experience and expertise, we can reach more people and make a greater difference where it is needed most.”
At the gathering in Antigua and Barbuda, spouses and partners discussed shared priorities, identified areas where they could lead advocacy, and agreed to take this work forward through the new platform.
Minister Maria Browne, the Spouse of the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Rt Hon Gaston Browne, said:
“In my own advocacy, I have seen that some of the issues that cause the deepest harm are often the hardest to speak about. I have also learned that these challenges are not unique to one country. We may experience them differently, but we can learn a great deal from one another about what works.
“That is why I believe this Commonwealth platform can be quite powerful. It will give spouses and partners a space to share experience, work with one another and bring greater attention to issues that too often remain in the shadows. By learning from what works elsewhere, we can reach more people and turn individual advocacy into a wider force for positive change.”
Mrs Ann Marie Davis, the Spouse of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Hon Philip Davis KC, said:
“Each year, we share ideas, make recommendations, and motivate one another to press on towards lasting success for women and girls around the world. We want our sisters to know that we feel their despair, and that we speak with one voice so that one day they may be able to sing and shout of freedom from inequity, intimidation, bullying, and violence because their basic human rights are recognised, and they can earn a decent living as a result.
“Our Commonwealth has a need for female innovators. So let us do more, even as we are constantly reminded of the oppressing obstacles - cultural, legal or otherwise that have hindered women and girls from real engagement in our economies. They have to be brought down.”
Find out more about the initiative or get in touch via [email protected]
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