International Women’s Day 8 March 2026
- March 8, 2026
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Statement by H.E. Mr. Moussa Saleh Batraki, Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) On the Occasion of International Women’s Day 8 March 2026
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) joins the global community in celebrating the achievements, resilience and leadership of women and girls across the world.
Across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, women play a central role in shaping more inclusive and resilient societies. From agriculture and entrepreneurship to governance, education and community leadership, women continue to drive innovation, strengthen social cohesion and contribute significantly to sustainable development across our Member States.
At the same time, persistent structural barriers continue to limit the full participation of many women and girls in economic, political and social life. Advancing gender equality therefore, remains essential not only for justice and human dignity, but also for achieving sustainable development and inclusive prosperity for our peoples.
The OACPS remains firmly committed to promoting women’s empowerment and strengthening opportunities for women’s leadership across our regions. In this context, the forthcoming Women’s Forum, under the theme “Women and Agriculture: Advancing Food Security, Resilience, and Economic Empowerment,” will be held on 26 March 2026 on the margins of the 11th Summit of OACPS Heads of State and Government in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, providing an important platform to highlight women’s leadership and contributions to sustainable and inclusive development.
The Forum will bring together leaders, practitioners and partners from across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific to exchange perspectives, strengthen partnerships and explore practical pathways to advance women’s empowerment and inclusive economic transformation.
As we mark this International Women’s Day, I encourage stakeholders, partners and interested participants to engage with this initiative and to take part in the Summit discussions. Registration and further information on the Summit and its associated events are available at https://summitoacps.com/.
Let us continue working together to ensure that the leadership, innovation and contributions of women remain central to building a more equitable, resilient and prosperous future for the peoples of the OACPS and beyond.
