The Strategic Plan recognises gender equality, youth inclusion and small states advocacy as key enablers of its success. Each of them will be actioned under each resilience pillar of the Strategic Plan in order to ensure equitable outcomes. This will include targeted projects designed to address youth exclusion and gender inequality, support global consensus on inclusion and equality, and champion the interests and needs of SIDS and other small states.
Youth
Two thirds of people in the Commonwealth – more than 1.6 billion – are under the age 30. Too often, they are excluded from decisions that shape their lives and futures. Many face barriers to education, work, influence, and digital access.
The Strategic Plan aims to bridge the digital divide by harnessing new technologies to revolutionise distance education, to connect classrooms, communities, and capital, and to create financing instruments such as a Youth Entrepreneurship Fund.
Gender
The Commonwealth is home to around 1.35 billion women and girls. Despite global commitments to gender equality, women continue to encounter significant social, structural, and legal barriers that impede their access to economic resources and political leadership. Underrepresented in the formal economy, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, women face challenges that limit their economic security and opportunities to influence policy and social change.
The Strategic Plan will address these issues by forging new partnerships and advocating for women and girls across the Commonwealth, with a particular emphasis on those in small and vulnerable states.
Small States
This Plan takes an integrated approach to strengthening resilience among the Commonwealth’s small states. All aspects of the Secretariat’s work will be tailored to meet the unique challenges faced by small and vulnerable members. Technical support will address specific capacity gaps, and system-wide connections will be forged to enhance the impact of development efforts.