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Gender

Opening Remarks by Deputy Secretary-General (Programmes) Tanmaya Lal at the 5th Commonwealth Women's Forum Plenary

Opening Remarks by Deputy Secretary-General (Programmes) Tanmaya Lal at the 5th Commonwealth Women's Forum Plenary: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, A Foundation for Commonwealth Economic Prosperity, on the margins of CHOGM 2026, on 2 November 2026.
Read speech - Opening Remarks by Deputy Secretary-General (Programmes) Tanmaya Lal at the 5th Commonwealth Women's Forum Plenary

The Pushback against Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in the Commonwealth

Many countries’ gender equality initiatives are facing intensifying, organised opposition – often by well-funded international actors seeking to undermine women’s economic, political and social progress by influencing political decision-making and public opinion. This report provides a concise, evidence-based analysis of the impacts of this 'pushback' across the Commonwealth’s five priority areas: women in leadership; women’s economic empowerment; ending violence against women and girls; gender and climate change; and accountability for gender equality.
Read publication - The Pushback against Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in the Commonwealth

The National Data Hub for Gender and Climate Information in Nigeria: A Framework for Implementation

This framework describes how a National Data Hub for Gender and Climate Information – a centralised, policy-linked platform that collects, harmonises and disseminates gender-responsive climate data – could be implemented. This transformative initiative would enable the Government of Nigeria to design inclusive and effective responses to mounting climate risks, strengthen institutional accountability and ensure that Nigeria’s climate actions reflect the lived realities of all of its citizens.
Read publication - The National Data Hub for Gender and Climate Information in Nigeria: A Framework for Implementation

Addressing Barriers to Accessing Trade Finance by Women-owned Businesses in the Pacific Islands

Women-owned micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and women entrepreneurs play an important role in eliminating gender disparities by promoting women’s employment, and in driving economic growth and development. However, the geographical remoteness, small size and often narrow economic bases of Pacific island countries present unique challenges that prevent women-owned MSME from achieving their potential to reach wider global markets and engage in cross-border international trade.
Read publication - Addressing Barriers to Accessing Trade Finance by Women-owned Businesses in the Pacific Islands

Commonwealth at the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women

9 March 2025 to 14 March 2025
(EST Eastern Standard Time)
Event
The Commonwealth Secretariat’s Gender Section will host a series of events in New York City from 9 to 14 March 2025 on the sidelines of the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

Marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA), this year’s CSW will focus on assessing progress and challenges in implementing its global commitments to gender equality and women’s rights.

Commonwealth Secretary-General’s message for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we come together as a global community to reaffirm our commitment to ending violence against all women and girls.
This day reminds us of our shared responsibility to eliminate one of the most pervasive human rights violations.
Read news - Commonwealth Secretary-General’s message for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women