OECS Gender Equality Mainstreaming Policy for the OECS

The OECS Secretariat (OECSSEC), the administrative headquarters of the nine-memberThe OECS Secretariat (OECSSEC), the administrative headquarters of the nine-memberOrganisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), is committed to being a “Centre ofExcellence”i and a “Champion of Ideas”ii. To this end the OECS Secretariat has beenengaged in a process of institutional strengthening designed to improve its capability toeffectively support the developmental objectives of the OECS Member States. The need forinstitutional strengthening has become even more urgent with the expansion of themandate of the Secretariat under the provisions of the Revised Treaty of Basseterre whichestablished the OECS Economic Union. An essential component of the institutionalenhancement of the OECSSEC should be comprehensive Gender Equality Mainstreaming(GEM) into the programme portfolio and daily management of the OECSSEC.