The Office of Gender Affairs falls under the purview of the Ministry of Health and Social Development. It was first established in 1992 as the Women's Desk, in the Chief Minister's Office. Nine years later the office was renamed the Office of Gender Affairs. The office is the focal point for the Government in promoting gender equality and equity for all.
The Office of Gender Affairs values the public we serve and are committed to:
- Ensuring that our staff is properly trained and well informed about gender and related issues
- Being honest and ethical in our dealings
- Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our clients
Our main objectives are to:
- Comply with the United Nations Conventions that promotes gender equality and equity accepted by the Government of the Virgin Islands
- To continually raise awareness about gender in the quest for a sustained and equitable society
- To ensure the full enjoyment by all of their fundamental human rights and freedoms
The work of the Office of Gender Affairs covers advocacy as it relates to legislation, domestic violence, political and economic empowerment of women, policy development and gender training. We engage in public education and awareness, information/research and community outreach.
Mission:
To develop and implement policies and programmes that promote gender equality and equity.
Vision:
To promote the integration of a gender perspective into the mainstream activities of Government at the policy, program and project levels to ensure sustainability.
