Saint Lucia joined the global community on March 8 in observing International Women’s Day, with a call for greater action to advance the rights, justice, and opportunities of all women and girls.
In a national address marking the occasion, Emma Hippolyte, Minister for Equity, Social Justice, Gender, Labour, Older Persons, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, underscored that the annual observance must extend beyond celebration to meaningful reflection and action.
The 2026 observance is being held under the official theme “Rights, Justice, Action: for ALL Women and Girls,” issued by UN Women, alongside the popular theme “Give to Gain.” According to Minister Hippolyte, the theme challenges societies to examine the lived realities of women and girls and to ensure that rights and opportunities are extended to all in practical and tangible ways.
The Minister noted that the Government of Saint Lucia continues to advance policies that align with its “Putting People First” development agenda and the national call to move “Douvant ansanm”—forward together. These guiding principles emphasize that sustainable national progress requires inclusive participation and shared responsibility.
Minister Hippolyte pointed to several initiatives that have contributed to improving the socio-economic conditions of women in Saint Lucia. Among them are expanded access to financing through the MSME Loan-Grant Facility and the work of the Youth Economy Agency, both of which have helped remove traditional barriers that limited women’s access to start-up capital. Legislative reform has also played a role, with the Security Interest in Movable Property legislation allowing assets other than land to be used as collateral, thereby expanding financial opportunities for many women entrepreneurs.
The Government has also taken steps to address everyday economic burdens affecting women and girls. The removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on sanitary napkins, along with the provision of sanitary supplies in schools, has helped reduce costs associated with basic health needs for young women and girls.
Additionally, the Domestic Violence Act continues to provide legal protections for individuals affected by domestic abuse, reinforcing the country’s commitment to safeguarding the dignity and safety of all citizens.
Despite these efforts, Minister Hippolyte acknowledged that global challenges remain. Citing findings from the 2026 World Bank Women, Business and the Law report, she noted that only a small proportion of women worldwide live in environments where laws and systems fully support their economic participation.
“This reality reminds us that there is still much work to be done,” she said, adding that structural barriers—including gender stereotypes and the undervaluation of caregiving responsibilities—must be addressed collectively.
The Minister therefore issued a call for stronger collaboration among government, civil society, the private sector, development partners, academia, and the media to advance gender equality. She expressed appreciation to several organizations and development partners supporting gender empowerment initiatives in Saint Lucia, including Helen’s Daughters, Girls of a Feather, the Network of Rural Women Producers, Do Nation Foundation, and Raise Your Voice, as well as international partners such as UN Women, the Food and Agriculture Organization, UNFPA, the World Food Programme, the International Labour Organization, the French Embassy, the Government of Canada, the Taiwanese Embassy, and the Caribbean Development Bank.
As activities take place across the island to commemorate International Women’s Day, Minister Hippolyte urged citizens to remember women and girls around the world who continue to face violence, conflict, and inequality.
“Let our observance not be events in futility, but events with future utility,” the Minister stated. “Make the day count—everyone can play their part.”
International Women’s Day is observed annually on March 8 to recognize the achievements of women and to advocate for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls worldwide.
