PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC)—Laurent Saint-Cyr, an advisor to Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), is urging women to play a more meaningful role in the future socio-economic development of the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

Addressing the first Women Leadership Forum here over the last weekend, Saint-Cyr stressed the importance of inclusive governance to build a better future for every Haitian, urging the need to fully integrate women into decision-making spheres.

“The representation of women in decision-making bodies must not be limited to a number, to a quota of 30 per cent. Our goal must be to give every woman the opportunity to take an active part in the conduct of our country’s affairs. Haiti needs the quality and diversity of their talents, the wealth of their skills, their expertise and their vision,” said Saint ‘Cyr.

He said as the country moves towards holding long awaited general elections, women must be major actors in the democratic process as voters, candidates, observers and leaders.

“Haiti needs all its human resources to build its future and women are a fundamental pillar. Women’s leadership is not a secondary issue: it is essential to the progress of our nation. I call on every woman to dare, to assert herself and to get fully involved,” he said.

The advisor during his address paid tribute to Haitian State women, who through their work , were seeking to laying the groundwork for women to be part of the new Haiti and in the process enriching the governance of the country.

In her address to the “Parcours d’Exception” platform, Minister for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights, Pedrica Saint Jean, praised the organisers of the forum which aims to encourage women to take their place in new roles traditionally reserved for men.

She said the initiative is of significant importance because it allows to create a critical mass of women, capable of identifying a solid alternative for women participation in all spheres of decision-making of the Republic.

President of Parcours d’Exception, Winnie Hugot Gabriel, said the forum is intended to place women in decision-making spaces, adding that female leadership should not be an option but an imperative, a dynamic to propel Haitian women much further.

The forum was organised in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP-Haiti), and held under the theme : “Women’s leadership: pillar of inclusive governance and sustainable development in Haiti”.

It was attended by women leaders, experts, key actors, state authorities and members of the international community.