Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Social Transformation, Samantha Turner, has unveiled government plans to establish a comprehensive support facility for survivors of gender-based violence during high-level diplomatic exchanges in New York. The initiative, developed in collaboration with the Directorate of Gender Affairs and International Health Outreach (IHO), represents a significant advancement in the nation’s commitment to addressing gender-based violence through practical interventions.
The proposed shelter will provide extended accommodation for abuse survivors alongside integrated support services including psychological counseling, legal assistance, and rehabilitation programs designed to facilitate long-term recovery and social reintegration. Minister Turner emphasized the facility’s role in creating a secure environment where women can rebuild their lives with professional support and protection.
During discussions with Lin Yi, Vice President of the All-China Women’s Federation, Minister Turner outlined the project’s framework and explored potential international financing partnerships to ensure sustainable implementation. The ministerial delegation included Glentis Thomas, First Secretary at Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Mission to the UN, and Ashlea Ambris, Project Officer at the Directorate of Gender Affairs.
In parallel developments, the Antiguan delegation conducted strategic talks with the Commonwealth Secretariat’s gender unit to finalize preparations for the Women’s Forum scheduled alongside November’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda. The forum will convene heads of state, women parliamentarians, international development partners, and civil society organizations to formulate policies promoting women’s leadership and empowerment across Commonwealth nations.