For 3 days in August 2023 the Bahamas will provide the spotlight for the aspirations and achievements of 1.3 billion girls and women across the 56 Commonwealth countries. Success will come not just from discussions and decisions in Nassau over 3 days but in the actions in the 3 years that follow that bridge the 13th and 14th Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meetings. 

This period should not be the missing link but the golden thread. That pathway is signalled by the 13WAMM theme ‘Equality Towards a Common Future’ which reinforces the need for a collaborative and future-focussed approach. This is only the third WAMM to take place within the framework of the four Commonwealth Gender Priorities which includes women's economic empowerment. 

Three key areas at 13WAMM and beyond to 2026 that can foster collaboration and drive impact for women's economic empowerment include:-
- inclusive trade;
- the digital gender gap; and
- empowering women as agents of change including through clean/climate tech in showing how women can play a pivotal role in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

These areas can be taken forward through gender mainstreaming looking at gender equality across a whole variety of socio-economic, geographic, institutional, policy and sectoral factors and stakeholders; addressing interlocking vulnerabilities through taking an intersectional approach; and collaboration with Commonwealth Accredited Organisations and the wider private sector. These are all foundations and low hanging fruit on which Bahamas can show leadership as 13WAMM host working with member states and AOs and leverage existing traction and forward momentum. 

A key challenge and opportunity will be how to amplify messaging and maintain momentum from 13WAMM to 14WAMM. In this Marlborough House hybrid meetings, radio, the CBWN app and key fora in which the Commonwealth is actively involved provide entry points and strong levers which can drive 13WAMM follow up and follow through from September 2023 upto and including CHOGM in October 2024 in Samoa.

CBWN is issuing a Call to Action to coincide with 13WAMM that link into leading international programmes and initiatives involving the private sector in which it invites collaboration: digital and/or financial inclusion for women (working with GSMA and CTO); women in leadership in the aviation sector (working with IATA); and women’s entrepreneurship capacity-building (working with CBWN, the Commonwealth Secretariat and partners).

                                                       Read the full Executive Brief here: CBWN 13WAMM Brief Summary