Ms Tasha K. Bertie welcomed the engagement, emphasising the importance of strategic partnerships. She stated, “Meaningful collaboration is essential to advancing gender equality in the Virgin Islands. 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.” Photo: Facebook

A recent courtesy call between Ms Tasha K. Bertie, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, and Ms Claire Allan, Gender and Equality Adviser at the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), aimed at strengthening collaboration to advance gender equality in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Facebook

According to a press release, this engagement provided an opportunity to discuss the mandate of the Office of Gender Affairs, the key challenges affecting its work, and areas where partnership support could add value.

Challenges highlighted

Among the challenges highlighted were the need for ongoing training and capacity building, limited public engagement in gender-related issues and policy development, and gaps in the collection and availability of gender-disaggregated data. Participants noted that these data gaps hinder evidence-based planning and the design of targeted interventions to address gender-related issues in the Virgin Islands.

Ms Bertie welcomed the engagement, emphasising the importance of strategic partnerships. She stated, “Meaningful collaboration is essential to advancing gender equality in the Virgin Islands. 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.”

Progress made acknowledged

The meeting also acknowledged the progress made by the Office of Gender Affairs in fulfilling its mandate. Particular attention was given to the strengthening of the Domestic Violence Protocol, which establishes a clearer legal and operational framework for law enforcement and other frontline agencies in managing domestic violence cases.

Updates were shared on the progress of the Partnership for Peace Programme, as well as ongoing collaboration with social and community organisations to support programme delivery and outreach. 

Discussions also explored opportunities to deepen collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Social Development and the FCDO, focusing on improving institutional capacity, enhancing data collection, supporting gender policy development, and increasing public awareness and engagement on gender-related issues.