The Directorate of Gender Affairs is committed to working towards increasing women’s participation in decision making and leadership which is a fundamental prerequisite for gender equality. We advocate for the advancement and uplifting of the status of women to enhance their effective participation in the socio-economic, cultural and political development of the country.
Primary Functions
Making National Development
Gender Responsive
DoGA uses data-driven research to develop comprehensive systems and services geared towards addressing gender inequalities in order to meet the specific needs of women, men, and other vulnerable groups.
Gender Mainstreaming
The Directorate of Gender Affairs works to ensure that the national development process is gender-responsive. We focus on specific portfolio areas to facilitate the integration of gender into all policies, plans, programmes and projects, and provide technical guidance on gender and development issues in Antigua and Barbuda.
DoGA’s current portfolio areas are:
- Climate Change, & the Environment
- Economic Empowerment
- Education
- Gender-based Violence
- Health
- Human rights
- Institutional Mechanisms for Mainstreaming Gender
- Women in Political Participation
DoGA uses data-driven research to develop comprehensive systems and services geared towards addressing gender inequalities in order to meet the specific needs of women, men, and other vulnerable groups.
This process involves lobbying to amend or enact new legislation that is responsive to the issues of vulnerable groups.
We also aim to provide a practical measure of gender equality nationally. Our programmes and activities prioritize collaboration and partnership with other government and non-government agencies and institutions to integrate a multi-sectoral approach.
Women's Empowerment
Ending Gender-based and Sexual Violence
The Directorate of Gender Affairs works to prevent and respond to all instances of gender-based and sexual violence occurring in Antigua and Barbuda. The Support And Referral Centre (SARC), a subsidiary of DoGA, is a one-stop mechanism providing medical, legal, and psycho-social support to all victims of gender-based violence over the age of 18.
SARC operates the National Gender-based Violence Crisis Hotline, WhatsApp Chat Support, and houses the National Electronic Gender-based violence Database. SARC also offers intake and assessment, pre-counselling, crisis counselling, safety planning, dignity kits, emergency accommodations and referrals.
