Gender equality gaps raised in talks with UK adviser

Challenges facing efforts to advance gender equality in the Virgin Islands — including weak data, limited public engagement and capacity constraints — were highlighted during a recent meeting between the Ministry of Health and Social Development and a senior United Kingdom official.

Ministry Permanent Secretary Tasha Bertie met with Claire Allan, gender and equality adviser at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, to discuss ways to address such issues, according to government.

The discussion focused on the mandate of the Office of Gender Affairs and obstacles affecting its work, including a lack of gender-disaggregated data, according to government.

This gap, officials said, makes it harder to plan effectively and design targeted interventions.

Participants also discussed the need for sustained training and other capacity building, along with more public engagement in gender-related issues and policy development.

Training

Despite such challenges, the meeting also acknowledged recent progress, including the strengthening of the Domestic Violence Protocol to set a clearer legal and operational framework for law enforcement and other frontline agencies in the management of domestic violence cases, according to government.

Updates were also shared on the Partnership for Peace Programme and ongoing collaboration with social and community organisations aimed at improving outreach and programme delivery.

Additionally, the meeting explored opportunities for further collaboration between the ministry and the FCDO.

“Meaningful collaboration is essential to advancing gender equality in the Virgin Islands,” Ms. Bertie said. “By strengthening capacity, improving data collection and increasing public awareness, we can better support the work of the Office of Gender Affairs and ensure our policies and programmes respond effectively to the needs of our communities.”