APIA, Samoa — The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) opened in Samoa on Monday with a sharp focus on the persistent gender inequality, income disparity, and violence faced by women across the 56-member states. Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland described these issues as a “plague in our world” during a forum that highlighted the challenges women continue to face in the global community.
The summit, held in the small Pacific Islands nation, brings together leaders from across the Commonwealth, a group with deep historical ties to Britain’s former empire, including countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and India, as well as 14 least-developed states in Africa and the Pacific.
At the forum, women politicians discussed the widespread gender inequality that persists among Commonwealth nations. Despite progress in some areas, women continue to face barriers to leadership, structural discrimination, and gender-based violence. Scotland, the first woman to serve as Commonwealth Secretary-General since her appointment in 2016, urged women to collaborate and fight for equality.
“Significant hurdles still exist, despite the numerous successes that we have had,” she said. “Income inequity, structural discrimination, and the restriction of women from leadership opportunities are still a plague in our world.”
Scotland, who was born in Dominica and previously served as the first woman attorney general in Britain, warned against complacency in the fight for gender equality. “Many of us thought that we had delivered the change,” she said. “Never take your foot off the pedal… these advances can very quickly be taken away from you.”
Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, the first woman to lead a Pacific Island member of the Commonwealth, is also among the prominent figures addressing gender equity at the summit.
In addition to gender issues, climate change is expected to take center stage at the summit. Over half of the Commonwealth’s members are small states, many of them island nations vulnerable to rising sea levels. Leaders are expected to issue a declaration on ocean protection, reinforcing the importance of climate action for the group.
Britain’s King Charles, head of the Commonwealth, is scheduled to arrive later this week. Speaking in Australia ahead of the summit, he emphasized the Commonwealth’s unique ability to address global challenges.
“The Commonwealth group has the diversity to understand the world’s problems and the sheer brain power and resolve to formulate practical solutions,” Charles said. “I see a family of some 2.5 billion people striving for peace, justice, and mutual respect.”
The Commonwealth, which spans six continents, continues to play a significant role on the global stage, particularly in fostering personal relationships and cooperation among its diverse member states.