Irrespective of our trials, tribulations and unfair castigations, my country, when appraised objectively, has been considered a marvel. Hence its continued high ranking on the Human Development Index. We practice the Westminster model of parliamentary democracy and do it effectively. Our national elections are open and transparent. We have remained committed to the empowerment of the socially and economically challenged.
Women occupy senior positions in the civil service, and have significant numbers in the professions.
In one they outnumber men. In the area of violence against women, legislation has been enacted to give greater protection to the female members of our society. At the sixth meeting of the Commonwealth Consultative Group on Environment at the United Nations in April, we received support from the attending States for the ideas posited. In the first place, Antigua and Barbuda wishes that the Vulnerability Index being developed by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the World Bank Task Force be introduced as soon as possible into international organisations. This must be borne in mind from the perspective that we have repeatedly addressed the limitations and unfairness of using per capita income in assessing our economic efficacy.