BPW International

The BPW Barbados, will host a panel discussion on Gender and Governance. The panel will answer two question:  “Political Appointed Boards Members are creatures of the Minister: what are the implications for good governance, and do women in leadership operate with different standards.”  The discussion will be held at the Bagnall Point Gallery at the Pelican Village, St Michael at 5.30 p.m. on Thursday, 9th September 2010.  Members of the public are invited.

Members of the panel will include Political Scientist Peter Wickham, the author of the notion of “creature of the minister”, Ms Joy Workman, feminist, community leader and postgraduate student of the Institute of Gender and Development Studies, and a representative of the youth movement;  President of BPW Barbados, Nalita Gajadhar will moderate the discussion.

Gender and Governance,  has become a major issue for discussion as more and more organisations advocate for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal No. 3 that calls for Gender Equality and Women’s empowerment.  In preparation for the Commonwealth 9th Women Affairs Ministers Meeting, a paper on Gender and governance was presented at the Civil Society National Consultation hosted by the National Organisation of Women.  In that paper, information on women, gender and governance was presented, some of this information will be presented at the discussion.

BPW Barbados is known for its work in Barbados on the issues affecting the status of women. For more than 26 years, it hosted the Crisis Centre hotline, which offers support to victims of domestic violence, rape, and other calls of crises.  BPW Barbados , with support from the Government of Barbados  manages the Shelter for Abused Women.  It is affiliated to BPW International, with observer status to the United Nation, which this year reviewed the progress of achieving the Millennium Goals and the Beijing Platform for Women.
Contact:  Nalita V Gajadhar