In a step forward for advancing gender equity in youth spaces, the National Youth Parliament Association of Antigua and Barbuda (NYPAAB) held a virtual empowerment-focused webinar centering women and girls on October 10, 2026. This engaging online gathering was deliberately structured to act as a pre-launch for the organization’s much-anticipated comprehensive training programme, which is set to roll out in the near future.
The event was steered by Rainer Santos Mercado, who holds dual roles as NYPAAB Vice President and Committee Chair, and received full strategic and operational backing from Ezekiel Francois, the President of NYPAAB. The collective organizing team’s careful planning and collaborative effort translated into a dynamic, informative experience that left all registered attendees with new insights and a reinforced sense of personal agency.
Guiding attendees through the webinar’s flow and facilitating discussions was Master of Ceremonies Himanshi Kumar, a widely recognized youth advocate and post-secondary student hailing from neighboring Guyana. Beyond her youth leadership work, Kumar also serves as Guyana’s Junior Minister of Tourism, bringing a wealth of public service experience to her role for the event.
The webinar’s featured speaker, Nadia Lee, an active member of the global public speaking network Toastmasters International, delivered a keynote address that sparked meaningful conversation among participants. A key takeaway from Lee’s talk was her intentional emphasis on inclusive gender equity: she argued that meaningful women’s empowerment cannot be achieved without intentional engagement and action from male allies, who play a critical role in advancing systemic and cultural change.
Following the successful conclusion of the webinar, leadership of NYPAAB issued formal gratitude to all contributors, including guest speakers, organizing volunteers, and every attendee who participated in the event’s discussions. The organization has now shifted its focus to finalizing preparations for the full launch of its upcoming training programme, with expectations of expanding on the conversations and momentum built during the pre-launch webinar.