28 May 2021
Ministers will today host Baroness Berridge (UK Minister for Women), Her Excellency Ms Yamina Karitanyi (High Commissioner for the Republic of Rwanda to the United Kingdom), and Dragan Nastic (of Unicef UK) for an event to celebrate the extension of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) to Jersey.
CEDAW is the UN Human Rights treaty which promotes the rights of women and girls. Jersey requested that the treaty be extended to cover the Island as part of its commitment to achieving equality.
In line with COVID-19 limits on gatherings, there will be an audience representing organisations that promote the rights of women and advocate for gender equality. Islanders will also be able to attend virtually via Government of Jersey social media channels.
The event will be moderated by Lisa Springate, Head of Legal & Technical at Jersey Finance, and Chair of the Institute of Directors Jersey. It will bring together a panel to discuss the issues facing women and girls in Jersey, and how CEDAW can help to address these issues.
The panel includes:
- Baroness Berridge, UK Minister for Women
- Her Excellency Ms Yamina Karitanyi, High Commissioner for the Republic of Rwanda to the United Kingdom
- Dragan Nastic, a senior representative from Unicef UK
- Minister for Social Security, Deputy Judy Martin
- Minister for International Development, Deputy Carolyn Labey
During the event, the Government will also debut a film titled 'Women in Jersey,' in which a group of local women discuss the challenges they have faced, and how CEDAW could impact their lives.
The women featured in the video include:
- Pamela Pitman - Jurat and former headteacher of Grouville School
- Rachel French – Chair of Liberate and CEO - Jersey Community Partnership
- Tamsin Hollyman – Student
- Helen Gunton – Rector of Grouville
- Parmjeet Plummer – Senior Teacher at Victoria College and WomenEd Global Strategic Lead
Minister for Social Security, Deputy Judy Martin, said: "As the Minister with responsibility for promoting diversity, equality and social inclusion, I'm really proud to be speaking at the event alongside some amazing women.
"Gender equality is something we are committed to across Government, and it's something that we keep working on. We've taken some great steps recently - including introducing family friendly policies - and CEDAW gives us the map to keep on making progress."
Minister for International Development, Deputy Carolyn Labey, said: "CEDAW joins us to an international convention and therefore international standards.
"The elimination of discrimination against women is a global one. Jersey's international development programme places women at the centre of its work as we act as a good Global Citizen.
"We recognise that economically and socially empowered women, participating equally in public life, are the prime movers of a nation's success. It is indeed a day to celebrate that the convention - after 42 years - has at last been extended to Jersey."
UK Minister for Women, Baroness Berridge said: "Today's announcement is a great step forward for women living in Jersey.
"The UK Government believes in securing and advancing the rights of women and girls in the UK and all around the world. We will use the G7 and the Gender Equality Advisory Council to help us achieve our ambitions."
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