Ambassador Marks Champions Investment in Women

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks, has called for increased investment in women as a moral and strategic global necessity.

She argued that, as half of the world’s population, women are not just participants but key drivers of economic growth.

She noted that they occupy diverse roles as scientists, military members, entrepreneurs, educators, and political leaders, underscoring their essential contribution across the spectrum of human endeavour.

“Women play a crucial role in confronting some of the most pressing global challenges today, from geopolitical conflicts and rising poverty levels to the escalating impacts of climate change,” she added.

Ambassador Marks, who was addressing an International Women’s Conference in New York recently, noted that despite the role and contributions of women, the current rate of investment in women is woefully inadequate.

She said that an additional US$360 billion per year is required by developing countries to achieve gender equality under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“At this trajectory, more than 340 million women and girls will still live in extreme poverty by 2030,” Ambassador Marks lamented.
She noted that closing gender gaps in employment could boost GDP per capita by an impressive 20 per cent,” illustrating the vast economic benefits of gender parity.

In her rallying cry for societal change, Ambassador Marks noted the potential for transformative change through collective action and commitment to women’s economic liberation.

She called on women to step forward as active participants in the fight for gender equality.

Emphasising the conference’s theme, ‘Leading Ladies’, Ambassador Marks championed the idea that women must not only advocate for change but embody it, inspiring others by becoming exemplary figures in all spheres of life.

“We must all become leading ladies in our own right. Let us be the change we wish to see,” she urged, calling on women to lead by example and show the world the strength and capability inherent in female leadership.

Reflecting on her own experiences, Ambassador Marks shared powerful lessons on embracing innovation, the value of relationships, and the uncompromising importance of integrity.

She called on leaders, policymakers, and community members to invest in women, highlighting the undeniable return on investment for society’s broader prosperity and well-being.

“To forge a future where everyone thrives, we must all contribute to creating a world brimming with opportunities, where women empowerment is the norm, not the exception,” she said.

The International Women’s Conference, organised by professional development company Nevalliance, was aimed at enhancing awareness about women’s issues and generate resources to support their growth.