Wescot-Williams Chairs 3rd International Gender Equality Conference in Ghana, Urges Global Action

Sint Maarten's President of Parliament Leads Global Gender Equality Discussions

Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, the esteemed President of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, took on a pivotal role as Chairlady of the 3rd International Conference on Gender Equality (ICGE-25), held from November 20 to 22, 2025, at the University of Ghana in Accra, Ghana. Her leadership at this significant international gathering underscored Sint Maarten's commitment to advancing the global gender equality agenda.

The conference, organized by I Believe Global, convened over 850 in-person delegates from 39 African countries and more than 2,000 virtual participants, including policymakers, academics, development partners, private sector leaders, and gender advocates from across Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and Latin America.

A Call for Urgent Global Action and Digital Inclusion

In her opening statement, President Wescot-Williams delivered a powerful address, urging urgent global action to accelerate gender equality in an increasingly digital world. She highlighted Sint Maarten's unique history, deep African heritage, and long-standing commitment to unity, emphasizing the significance of advancing gender equality on the African continent. Wescot-Williams reminded delegates that three decades after the landmark Beijing Declaration, its 'unfinished promise still demands global resolve'.

She stressed the interconnectedness of global gender issues, stating, 'Every barrier to women and girls' equality anywhere becomes a threat to all of us, everywhere'. The President welcomed the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, focusing on critical priorities such as:

• Closing the digital divide
• Eliminating violence against women and girls
• Advancing economic opportunity
• Promoting climate justice
• Increasing participation in decision-making

However, she cautioned that without adequate financing and gender-responsive data, 'commitments remain rhetorical'.

Addressing the Digital Divide and Empowering Women

A significant portion of Wescot-Williams' address focused on the digital revolution, acknowledging its potential to accelerate equality while also warning of its capacity to deepen existing disparities. She pointed out that women are less likely to access mobile internet, girls are underrepresented in STEM fields, and online harassment continues to silence women's voices. 'The digital divide is not only about access; it is about power, who designs technology, who controls data, and who benefits from innovation,' she asserted.

The President also recognized the vital contributions of women technologists, policy leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators from various nations, including Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, and Sint Maarten, who are driving digital transformation in their respective regions.

Sint Maarten's Role on the Global Stage

Wescot-Williams' appointment as Chairperson of the ICGE-25 placed Sint Maarten and the wider Caribbean squarely in the global spotlight. This role amplified the region's voice on pressing issues such as climate justice, digital inequality, care economy reform, rising violence, women's leadership, and the accelerating threats to gender equality. She expressed immense pride, stating, 'This is a proud moment not only for Sint Maarten, but for the entire Caribbean.' She further added, 'Our region stands on the frontlines of the climate crisis, economic volatility, and widening gender gaps. To chair a global conference of this magnitude is both an honour and a responsibility, and one that I carry on behalf of every woman and girl whose voice deserves to be heard.'

The conference's theme, 'Charting the Next Frontier to Advance Gender Equality in Developing Economies in the Post–30 Years Beijing Declaration Era,' served as a strategic response to the 69th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in 2025 and the enduring legacy of the Beijing Declaration. This gathering is considered a critical moment for shaping global gender policy, particularly as the world approaches the 2030 target year for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).