Finance Minister Paula Cox will be the keynote speaker at the 2006 Phenomenal Women Speak Conference in the US Virgin Islands on Saturday.

The speech will focus on empowerment strategies for marginalised women.

The conference, which runs from Thursday to Saturday, is being presented by the US Virgin Islands Commission on the Status of Women.

Other topics include the single market economy and implications for women in the Caribbean region, health, technology, entrepreneurship and strategies for influencing public policy.

Sonia Boyce, chairperson of the US Virgin Islands Commission on the Status of Women, said: "We chose Minister Cox to give the keynote address because we want to highlight women who are making significant strides and have been recognised as strong, capable leaders in their community."