A delegation from the Parliament of Sint Maarten participated in the 17th Gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network for Gender Equality (PNGE), held under the theme “Beijing +30: Promoting Equality in a Changing World.” The conference, hosted at the Federal Senate of Brazil in Brasilia on September 25–26, brought together parliamentarians and experts from across the Americas and the Caribbean to reflect on three decades of progress since the landmark 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

The delegation of the Parliament consisted of Members of Parliament Ms. Ludmila N.L. de Weever and Ms. Sjamira D.M. Roseburg, accompanied by Mrs. J.S.K. Duzong-Weeks, 1st Acting Secretary General of Parliament.

MP De Weever served as a moderator for the working table on “Building Consensus and Partnerships for Equality”, facilitating dialogue on key strategies to strengthen partnerships and build consensus to ensure the protection and advancement of women’s rights.

During the sessions, MP Roseburg also contributed to the dialogue, amongst others, raising critical questions on how to encourage young women to enter politics without fear of disadvantage or exposure to harm.

The Gathering of the Parliamentary Network for Gender Equality concluded with the presentation and adoption of the Brasilia Declaration, a joint commitment by parliamentarians of the Americas and the Caribbean to safeguard democratic progress and advance inclusive legislative agendas.