London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 31, 2025

BVI Health Minister applauds women in covid-19 response at UN ECLAC meeting

BVI Health Minister applauds women in covid-19 response at UN ECLAC meeting

Minister of Health and Social Development Hon. Carvin Malone has hailed women’s contribution to the health and social response to COVID-19 in the British Virgin Islands at UN ECLAC’s 60thMeeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean that began on 23rdFebruary 2021.
In his presentation to the conference on the Territory’s implementation of the Santiago Commitment that calls on governments to support and protect women during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister said,

“I would like to pay tribute to the many women who are at the heart of the health services and social services in the British Virgin Islands without whom we could not have mounted a robust health and social response to COVID-19. Women are disproportionately represented in the health and social sectors.”

Honourable Malone went on to describe the Government’s support to women on the frontlines, saying,

“Throughout the pandemic we have done everything in our power to ensure these brave women have the personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to safely do their jobs. We are also ensuring that as we rollout our vaccination programme that they get the needed vaccination, so they are protected from illness. They remain on the frontline of containing the virus. Their lives are continuously at risk in doing everything from testing to monitoring to policy development, coordination and implementation. As minister responsible for health and gender, I am truly grateful.”

In addition, the Minister highlighted the negative impact of COVID-19 on women, particularly in the tourism sector, and the response by the Government and other partners to assist the vulnerable.

“In response to the financial challenges facing women and other vulnerable persons, we approved a modest economic stimulus package that provided financial and social assistance, including unemployment payments to laid off persons, financial assistance to impacted businesses, and also financial assistance to civil society. We have continued to work with local NGOs such as the Family Support Network to ensure that struggling families are fed. Women are disproportionately benefitting from the assistance being provided by the Government in collaboration with Civil Society, the private sector and international partners,” Hon. Malone said.

He further stated, “We have continued to campaign through targeted messaging and the stepped-up efforts of our social services offices and the police to discourage the abuse of women and children, and to intervene as required.

In regard to economic recovery from COVID-19, Hon. Malone emphasised the importance of women as tourism steadily rebounds and the economy strengthens on the back of robust health and entry protocols that are keeping COVID-19 under control and the public safe.

According to the Health Minister,

“Our well-functioning system will allow us to receive greater numbers of tourists that will boost our economy and create more jobs. This will help to absorb those women who need employment. To support this effort, we are providing retraining with the generous assistance of the International Labour Organisation.”

Speaking on the BVI’s participation in the regional UN meeting on women, Hon. Malone said,

“It is extremely important that we remain engaged with the wider Latin America and Caribbean region on the impact of the global pandemic on women. It was useful to share our experience over the past months and to hear how others are supporting women in their own context with respect to social protection and economic recovery. Everyone learns and gains from such exchanges, which will help to make our COVID-19 responses more effective.”

Hon. Malone was joined by Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Ms. Tasha Bertie, Director of the International Affairs Secretariat Ms. NajanChristopher, Special Envoy of the Premier Mr. Benito Wheatley, Assistant Secretary for External Affairs Ms. Dwynel Davis, Programme Officer Ms. Xyrah Wheatley, Director of the BVI London Office Ms. Tracy Bradshaw and Deputy Director of the BVI London Office Ms. Siobhan Flax.

The BVI is a Vice Chair of UN ECLAC’s Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Social Development, as well as a Vice Chair of the regional body’s Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC).
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
×