The Minister of Social Development and Seniors updated the public on a project being undertaken with the United Nations Development Programme, during a session of the House of Assembly,

The Building Back Equal Project aims to “diversify Bermuda’s economy by supporting the growth of new opportunities for empowering women, our youth and persons with disabilities” in sectors ranging from agriculture to “sustainable tourism.”

Tinée Furbert outlined several events organised in partnership with the UNDP throughout the year. One such event was a woman entrepreneurship training workshop held in Kingston, Jamaica, where the ministry nominated Dana Selassie of BUNA Gallery, a coffee house-art gallery.

The minister highlighted a visit by eight UNDP and UN Women delegates from Caribbean states. They trained 17 participants from Clarien Bank, HSBC, the Butterfield Group and the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation in gender lens investing and public financing for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation defines gender lens investing as “the deliberate integration of gender analysis, investment analysis and decision making” in investments.

Ms Furbert also discussed UN Women consultancy positions that the ministry had advertised throughout the year. Recruitment for the third job, a co-ordinating role, is ongoing.

She highlighted the programme’s value in allowing the Government to “explore further partnerships and the potential for technical support” from the UNDP, outlining a number of meetings held that covered topics from “the implementation of Bermuda’s first National Youth Policy and National Sports Policy” to “expanding on resources to improve the existing infrastructure for national emergencies”.

“I am excited about the progress of the UN Joint Programme,” she said. “This is an historic milestone for Bermuda forging the first-ever partnership agreement with the United Nations Development Programme and UN Women”.