CDB Committed To “Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity”

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has pledged to implement gender transformative agendas in member countries, as women and children continue to face serious challenges in the region.

In his message to mark International Women’s Day, CDB President, Dr. William Warren Smith, said the agendas will be implemented through advocacy, policy dialogue and technical and financial support.

According to Smith, although notable progress has been made in women’s representation in public leadership, access to education and training and in labour force participating the earning cap for women “is pronounced in certain sectors and contribute to household poverty and economic insecurity”.

“CDB sees gender equality as a strong driver of growth and an important ingredient for prosperity. It contributes to more effective public institutions and a more resilient private sector. We, therefore, prioritise responsive institutional and policy reform; the expansion of productive and decent employment; and, inclusive stakeholder partnerships, including the intergenerational engagement with men and boys, for safe and secure communities.”

The CDB head noted that legislative reform has advanced by required responsive public policy and effective institutional mechanism to give effect to measures that embed gender justice.

He added that CDB is sponsoring research to support specific sector operations and a study will be undertaken to ascertain the degree to which there are gender disparities in access to agricultural and industrial credit, student loans and mortgage financing provided by the Development Finance Institutions.

“We see the importance of reliable evidence and value the complementary actions of the private sector and civil society when addressing areas of persistent gender disparities.”

He said that without advances on gender equality “we will lose productive potential, and opportunities for growth and a healthy and secure Caribbean region.”

“While we recognise the considerable progress which has been made in advancing women’s cause in our Region, to consolidate our gains, there is much to be done. We will continue efforts to close gender gaps through interventions to expand the productive and human resource capacity in the countries in which we work.” He added that the CDB is committed to working with borrowing member countries and international partners towards the common goal of “Empowering Women and Empowering Humanity.”