The office of Gender Affairs stated in their report that the issue of insufficient funding inhibits them from executing projects promoting gender equality and other issues. (Photograph showing a fair hosted by the Office of Gender Affairs aimed at promoting men's health.) Photo: VINO/File

Evidently, the Office of Gender Affairs is no different. 

In summarized reports submitted for the years 2010 and 2011, it stated that due to insufficient funding to the said department, there were limits to the amount of activities to be achieved. It added that there is a need for more public campaigns on gender awareness in the Virgin Islands. 

Each of the reports was submitted to the House of Assembly on different occasions; 2010 report on September 3, 2012 and the 2011 report on July 24, 2012. 

An excerpt from the 2010 report reads “[a challenge is, that there is] insufficient funds to execute all the intended plans for the year; this limits activities and places strain on the direction of the office, as there are many areas to gender equality awareness and equity… There is a need for more public campaigns on gender awareness and equality throughout the territory and that process is costly.” 

According to the summary of the 2011 report, as a solution to the issue and in an effort to ensure that as much of the projects to promote gender awareness are executed, a budget sheet was disclosed for the year 2012, where Public awareness campaigns was included, at a cost of $8000. 

Under that subsection of the 2012 budget sheet, it included: brochures on domestic violence, men’s health, human rights and the law, newspaper supplements, radio and television programs, radio and television ads, banners, flyers, engraved tokens with messages, brochures on UNCEDAW and brochures on women and decision making/leadership. 

The Office of Gender Affairs falls under the Ministry of Health and Social Development.

“The office will continue to promote gender equality and equity.”