The Commonwealth Local Government forum and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) hosted a conference focusing on women in local government and municipal finances from the sustainable cities Network.
It was held on May 17th to 19th 2022 at the Hilton hotel in Barbados under the theme “building back better, local government delivering development in the Caribbean.”
According to a press statement, Local government practitioners and their Ministries were represented from the countries of Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.
The Firm also brought together Key experts from the Commonwealth, UN women and the five Seas.
The delegation of seven local government practitioners and the minister of local government represented Dominica at that conference. Discussions were two folds focusing on women in local government from the women in local government Network and Municipal finances from the sustainable cities Network which focuses on sustainable urbanization through climate action, building back better and Local Economic Development.
The region shared experiences and challenges faced at the local government level with regards to local action for women’s political and economic empowerment, Innovation, and Technology tools to support women’s engagement and strategies for transforming the women’s movement in local government.
The Forum also touched on important aspects of financing for sustainability of local government activities to support cities particularly aligned to National development priorities and the roles and responsibilities of local government aligned to the sustainable development goals.
Recommendations were made for greater linkages between local government and other developmental partners in tackling climate change through accountability for targeted actions which will enable us to build a stronger, resilient communities and Foster Economic Development which draws on our natural resources.
The covid-19 pandemic has revealed the realities of what could be possible as a lack of resilience in gender Equalities grow.
With the rapid rate of urbanization cities systems require great cooperation and financing in achieving this agenda in 2030.
A call to action was made for the encouragement of male champions for women empowerment which will mobilize young men and women in local government bringing relevance to various networks in championing the cause for local authorities.
