Saint Lucia has secured a historic second consecutive term on the Executive Committee of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM/OAS), following the election of Minister for Equity, Social Justice, Gender, Older Persons, Labour, Co-operatives and Consumer Affairs Hon. Emma Hippolyte during the Commission’s 40th Assembly of Delegates, held in Washington D.C., USA, from May 27 to 29, 2026.
Minister Hippolyte was elected alongside representatives from Guyana, Jamaica, Guatemala and Peru to serve on the Executive Committee, which provides leadership and strategic direction for the Commission between meetings of the Assembly of Delegates. Uruguay was elected President, while Grenada, Canada and Paraguay were elected Vice Presidents.
The election marks a significant achievement for Saint Lucia, making it the first time the country has secured consecutive terms on the Executive Committee. During the previous term, former Minister for Gender Relations, Hon. Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte, served as Vice President of the Commission. Minister Hippolyte succeeded Dr. Albert-Poyotte as Saint Lucia’s representative in 2025 and has now been elected to continue the country’s leadership role within the hemisphere’s principal forum for women’s rights and gender equality.
The outcome also reflects growing Caribbean representation within the Commission’s leadership. While Saint Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda were the only Caribbean countries represented on the Executive Committee during the previous term, this year’s elections saw Saint Lucia joined by Guyana, Jamaica and Grenada, marking one of the strongest Caribbean presences on the Executive Committee in recent years.
The election further underscores Saint Lucia’s growing influence in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment across the Americas.
During the Assembly, Minister Hippolyte participated in high-level discussions on women’s financial inclusion, highlighting several initiatives undertaken by the Government of Saint Lucia to strengthen women’s economic participation and reduce vulnerability.
“Because of deliberate strides by the Government of Saint Lucia to put people first, the most vulnerable are feeling heard and a part of the development conversation. Women form a large percentage of this vulnerable group,” the Minister told delegates.
Among the initiatives highlighted were the Government’s MSME loan-grant facility, the Youth Economy Agency, digital inclusion programmes, improved access to credit and ongoing labour and social protection reforms.
“Not having land entitlement is no longer a barrier for access to credit. Loans are more accessible and more women are benefiting from these initiatives,” Minister Hippolyte noted.
The Minister also underscored the importance of continued regional cooperation in areas such as financial literacy, gender-responsive financing and policies that support women’s economic advancement.
The Inter-American Commission of Women is the principal forum of the Organization of American States dedicated to promoting women’s rights and gender equality throughout the hemisphere.
Minister Hippolyte’s election to the Executive Committee places Saint Lucia at the center of regional decision-making on issues affecting women and girls and reinforces the country’s commitment to inclusive development and gender-responsive public policy.
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