Antigua and Barbuda has secured another significant leadership role in the United Nations system.
Gender equality advocate Sheila Roseau, has been elected by 185 member states to the membership of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, CEDAW, (pronounced see-daw). Her election to the prestigious position took place this morning, Friday 26th June, during the 24th Meeting of States Parties at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Ms. Roseau, a former Executive Director of the Directorate of Gender Affairs in Antigua and Barbuda, has long championed the advancement of gender equality, human rights and sustainable development across the Caribbean, Africa and Latin America.
As part of her mandate, Ms Roseau will play a major role in monitoring the implemantion of the convention by state parties and in helping to strengthen global accountability for protecting and advancing the rights of women and girls across the globe.
“It is with profound honour and a deep sense of humility to have been elected by member states to serve as a member of CEDAW,” Roseau stated. “My commitment to advancing the principles of the Convention have never wavered and with my election to the membership, I look forward to working closely with my fellow Committee members and States Parties to strengthen implementation of the Convention,” she continued.
The Antigua and Barbuda Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York played an instrumental role in Ms. Roseau’s successful election, in a tightly run contest where some 20 candidates were contending for 12 available seats on the Committee. Counselor Glentis Thomas is to be singled out for the supportive role he played by coordinating the diplomatic engagement for Ms. Roseau’s candidacy.
“I too am truly pleased by this recognition for Ms. Roseau. She was a major and committed figure in our coordination of the SIDS4 Conference in Antigua and Barbuda and I have no doubt she will serve CEDAW well with the same enthusiasm and zeal,” stated Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Walton Webson.
“As one of the foremost human rights treaty bodies in the UN, this appointment also reflects Antigua and Barbuda’s steadfast commitment to the principles of multilateral cooperation and the promotion of human rights among all,” Ambassador Webson stated.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Sheila Roseau elected to membership of prestigious gender equality and human rights body at the United Nations.