Saint Lucia Pushes Major Reforms to Protect Women, Fight Poverty and Build Economic Resilience
Saint Lucia’s efforts to strengthen economic resilience, tackle poverty and improve protections for women and vulnerable groups are gaining renewed momentum through the Build Back Equal Project, a multi-sector initiative now driving policy reform, social protection improvements and gender-focused economic development across the island. Government officials and development partners say the initiative is helping to […] The post Saint Lucia Pushes Major Reforms to Protect Women, Fight Poverty and Build Economic Resilience appeared first on Saint Lucia Daily Post.
Black News 
Saint Lucia’s efforts to strengthen economic resilience, tackle poverty and improve protections for women and vulnerable groups are gaining renewed momentum through the Build Back Equal Project, a multi-sector initiative now driving policy reform, social protection improvements and gender-focused economic development across the island.
Government officials and development partners say the initiative is helping to reshape national systems aimed at reducing vulnerability, expanding opportunities for women and strengthening responses to gender-based violence.
The renewed push was highlighted during a recent National Project Steering Committee Meeting, where representatives from government agencies, civil society organisations and development partners reviewed progress and outlined priorities as the project enters its final phase.
Project Coordination Analyst Sasha Harris said the initiative is focused on strengthening long-term economic resilience among vulnerable groups, particularly women facing poverty risks and social instability.
“The Build Back Equal Project largely speaks to women’s economic empowerment broadly, but looking at it through the lens of comprehensive gender-responsive social protection, gender-based violence prevention and response, and also strengthening women’s technical capacity as well as market access, such that we reduce the risk of vulnerability to poverty and strengthen their economic resilience,” Harris explained.
According to Harris, discussions during the steering committee meeting also centred on improving coordination between stakeholders, accelerating implementation plans and creating stronger synergies with existing national programmes.
Director of Gender Affairs Janey Joseph said partnerships and stakeholder engagement continue to play a critical role in ensuring long-term national impact and sustainability.
“One of the good things we have noticed from the implementation of Build Back Equal since 2022 is the strengthening of research, the development of policy, and the establishment of institutional mechanisms that previously did not exist. We are also seeing legislative changes and policy development on the horizon,” Joseph stated.
Joseph added that stronger alignment among national agencies and stakeholders is helping to improve coordination and strengthen sustainable social development outcomes across Saint Lucia.
Implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNFPA and national stakeholders, the Build Back Equal Project is expected to conclude in 2026 and remains a key initiative supporting inclusive development, social resilience and gender-responsive reform in Saint Lucia.
The post Saint Lucia Pushes Major Reforms to Protect Women, Fight Poverty and Build Economic Resilience appeared first on Saint Lucia Daily Post.
