Youth, Gender & Human Development
Youth, Gender & Human Development
Empowering People. Advancing Equality. Building Inclusive Societies.
The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) places people at the centre of sustainable development. Through the PACTE Initiative (2025–2030), the OACPS advances a comprehensive agenda to empower youth, promote gender equality, and strengthen human development outcomes across its 79 Member States.
This work responds directly to widening inequalities, demographic pressures, and unequal access to education, skills, health services, and digital opportunities—particularly affecting young people and women. By investing in human capital, the OACPS supports inclusive growth, social cohesion, and resilient societies.
Our Strategic Focus
Youth Empowerment
Young people represent the greatest asset of OACPS societies. The Organisation supports policies and programmes that:
- Enhance education, skills development, and employability
- Promote youth participation in governance and decision-making
- Strengthen access to digital tools, innovation ecosystems, and entrepreneurship
- Foster regional and inter-regional youth cooperation and leadership
Human & Social Development
In line with the Samoa Agreement priorities, the OACPS promotes inclusive human development by:
- Strengthening education and health systems
- Expanding social protection and inclusion mechanisms
- Improving access to digital services and connectivity
- Addressing inequalities affecting vulnerable and marginalised groups
Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment
Gender equality is both a fundamental right and a driver of sustainable development. The OACPS works to:
- Mainstream gender perspectives across all development actions
- Support women’s economic empowerment and leadership
- Address structural barriers to education, health, finance, and digital inclusion
- Promote policies aligned with international gender and human rights standards
Key Initiatives under PACTE
Social Inclusion Compacts
Integrated frameworks addressing youth, women, education, health, and digital access across Member States.
Gender & Youth Mainstreaming
A cross-cutting approach ensuring all PACTE actions apply a gender-responsive and youth-inclusive lens.
Youth Engagement Mechanisms
Including the potential establishment of an OACPS Youth Advisory Council to amplify youth voices in policy dialogue.
Capacity Building & Skills Development
Training programmes, exchanges, and digital learning platforms to strengthen human capital at national and regional levels.
Our Impact
Through coordinated action with governments, regional institutions, civil society, and development partners, the OACPS aims to:
- Improve quality of life and social outcomes
- Reduce inequalities across gender and age groups
- Enable young people and women to act as agents of change
- Support Member States in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Looking Ahead
Youth, gender equality, and human development are not standalone priorities—they are foundational pillars of sustainable growth, democratic governance, and resilience. Through the PACTE Initiative, the OACPS is committed to translating these principles into measurable impact across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
