Foreword

• Author: Gemma Tang Nain
• Pages: 9-10

FOREWORD

This book examines the status of women in CARICOM countries in the

five-year period following the Fourth World Conference on Women in

Beijing, China, in 1995. Given the significance of the Beijing Conference

and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action by

CARICOM and other countries of the United Nations system, this book is

of critical importance in assessing the measures which have been taken to

improve the status of women and achieve gender equality in the Caribbean

Community.

Further, the publication of the book in 2003 is of added significance

since the Caribbean Community this year marks the 30th anniversary of

the signing of the 1973 Treaty of Chaguaramas which includes a provision

to improve the status of women in the region.

While the road to publication of this volume seemed long and unending

at times, the meetings convened at different stages to review various

contributions, and the ensuing debates of the editorial group, resulted in a

highly commendable product. The book addresses a series of relevant issues,

among them Power and Decision-Making; Violence Against Women;

Poverty and the Economy; Education and Health. The approach to these

issues is critical to policy formulation as it demonstrates a clear link between

gender and all facets of life, and reinforces the need for gender mainstreaming

at all levels of society.

The CARICOM Secretariat is pleased to have collaborated with the

United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Caribbean