Women’s minimal leadership role in national and local political spheres remains a serious concern worldwide. The Commonwealth Gender Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005–2015 calls on governments to introduce measures to promote at least 30 per cent representation of women in parliament, government and business.
Read publication - The Impact of Women's Political Leadership on Democracy and DevelopmentMain page for this area of work
Last week’s announcement by the Government of Sri Lanka that it will conduct a national census to determine the extent of the loss of life during the country’s 26-year old civil war, is a welcome step.
Read news - Statement by the Secretary-General on Sri Lanka’s counting of the deadCommonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Colombo, Sri Lanka, 15-17 November 2013
Read news - CHOGM 2013 CommuniquéCommonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 15-17 November 2013
Read news - Colombo Declaration on Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable DevelopmentCivil Society Perspectives for a Commonwealth Post 2015 Development Agenda
Read news - Commonwealth People's Forum 2013 Outcome DocumentThe 22nd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) opened today in Sri Lanka’s capital city Colombo with a theatrical welcome to leaders and representatives from the Commonwealth’s 53 member countries.
Read news - Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting opensTheme: ‘Growth with Equity; Inclusive Development’
Read news - CHOGM 2013 Opening Ceremony: Commonwealth Secretary-General's speechDr Jemilah Mahmood, medical professional and founder of MERCY Malaysia
Read news - Commonwealth People’s Forum 2013: keynote lecture"The serious business of working together for a global future that is progressive and prosperous, safer, more inclusive, and more equitable, is enlivened by the versatility and vigour of our collective networks at all levels."
Read news - Commonwealth People's Forum opening ceremony: Commonwealth Secretary-General's speechThe social protection landscape is currently characterised by competing discourses and agendas, given that bilaterals, multilaterals and private funders have different targets and have differing constituents whose lives they seek to improve.
Read publication - Anticipatory Social Protection15 November 2013 to 17 November 2013
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CHOGM 2013 Outcomes: “Growth with Equity; Inclusive Development”
Reports: 'Women, Business and the Law 2014' and 'Gender, Trade and Public Procurement Policy' are launched at Commonwealth Secretariat
Read news - World Bank and Commonwealth launch new reports measuring and promoting gender equality“This group has been very influential in setting the agenda so far”- Olav Seim, Director of Education For All Global Partnerships Team, UNESCO
Read news - Experts back Commonwealth education proposal which raises the bar post-2015Speaker: Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma
Read news - Commonwealth Games Federation General AssemblyMmasekoga Masire-Mwamba addresses the first International Colloquium on Civic Education and National Integration in Cameroon
Read news - Civic education key to upholding Commonwealth values - Deputy Secretary-GeneralWomen account for between 25-40 per cent of SMEs worldwide and their earning power is estimated to reach US$18 trillion by 2014 – more than double the estimated 2014 GDP of China and India combined.
Read publication - Gender Responsive Investment HandbookSpeaker: Freda Miriklis, President of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women
Read news - 10th Women's Affairs Ministers Meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Keynote address by Freda Miriklis, President of the International Federation of Business and Professional WomenThe Commonwealth Secretariat today marks the start of a new partnership with the BBC and the British Council on a project aimed at promoting dialogue among students and sharing educational resources with schools.
Read news - Commonwealth partners with BBC, British Council on schools projectSport and development experts concluded a two-day meeting in London with an urgent call for Commonwealth action on sport integrity.
Read news - Sport experts call for Commonwealth action on integrity in sportSports and development experts are meeting in London to discuss how sport could accelerate the achievement of education and health goals in the Commonwealth.
Read news - Sport examined as tool to achieve education and health goalsCommonwealth women’s affairs ministers will meet in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 17 to 19 June 2013 under the banner ‘Women’s Leadership for Enterprise’.
Read news - Commonwealth women’s affairs ministers to meet in DhakaCommonwealth health ministers will meet in Geneva, Switzerland on 19 May 2013. A main item on the agenda will be to look at ways of ensuring the economic and social inclusion of people with mental health challenges.
Read news - Health ministers to focus on mental health inclusionStatement by Hon Rev. Dr John G N Seakgosing, Minister of Health, Botswana
Read news - Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting 2013 - Chair's Statement"The Commonwealth will continue to speak out internationally and to advocate on the interests of small island states" - Kamalesh Sharma
Read news - Commonwealth Secretary-General's departure statement following St Kitts and Nevis visitTickets for the Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2014 will go on sale from 19 August 2013.
Read news - Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2014 announces ticketing process