THE Commonwealth Women’s Forum opened in Samoa on Monday with a call for renewed action on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls in the 56 member countries, representing 2.7 billion people.

The forum, being held ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which opens on Friday, brings together hundreds of delegates to examine the gains and gaping holes in progress in several key areas, such as getting women into leadership, ending violence and addressing multiple forms of discrimination, including age, disability, identity and poverty.

Despite ongoing global efforts to improve the lives of women and girls, gender inequality remains widespread, affecting every corner of the world.

Over the two days, delegates at the women’s forum will come up with concrete proposals to present to Commonwealth leaders, urging them to put stronger measures in place to tackle barriers and biases that stand in the way of women’s progress.

Addressing the forum’s opening ceremony, Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, the first woman to lead a Pacific Island member country of the Commonwealth, pledged to advance these proposals.

“I look forward to the reports from the forum and take forward, as chair-in-office, some of these critical priorities you will present to leaders to set our compass for the future,” said Mata’afa.

In her remarks, Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland, KC, the first woman to hold the post, spoke passionately about delivering on her promise to put women at the centre of the organisation’s work.

“A day like this reminds us that women are at the core of progress across our Commonwealth. Yet, despite these successes, women continue to face significant hurdles.

“In far too many places, violence against women persists. Income inequality, structural discrimination and the exclusion of women from leadership opportunities still plague our world,” said Scotland.

She stressed that addressing these obstacles is not only a matter of justice but also a route to development, adding that women’s participation is necessary for building prosperous and peaceful societies.

“On our own, we are invisible. Together, we are invincible,” the secretary general told the delegates, urging them to work together to make gender equality not just an aspiration, but a reality for all,” added Scotland.

In the meantime, Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio’o, Samoa’s minister for women, community and social development, echoed the need for urgent action.

“We are not just here to talk. We are here to take action,” she said. “Together, we are unstoppable. Together, we hold the power to drive meaningful, lasting change across the Commonwealth and the world,” said Ale-Molio’o.

A key agenda item is women’s role in addressing environmental challenges. Experts from government, environmental groups and civil society will explore ways to close gaps in representation, data, and financing to ensure that women are fully engaged in climate action, from policymaking to implementation.

Commenting on this issue, Myles K Laroda, minister of social services, information and broadcasting in The Bahamas drew from his country’s experience with Category 5 Hurricane Dorian.

“Many people displaced by Dorian were women and girls. This underscores the urgent need for gender-responsive climate action. We must invest in women and girls as transformative agents of change,” said Laroda.

The women’s forum concludes today and is co-organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Government of Samoa.