Spouses and partners of Commonwealth leaders have launched a new platform to coordinate efforts to address pressing social issues affecting women, young people and other vulnerable groups across the organisation’s 56 member countries.

The Commonwealth First Spouses Platform was inaugurated in Antigua and Barbuda on November 4, on the sidelines of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Established by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, the platform aims to draw greater attention to issues including youth mental health, sexual and gender-based violence, non-communicable diseases, school dropout rates, skills development and the exclusion of people with disabilities.

The platform will provide spouses and partners of Commonwealth leaders with a space to collaborate on shared priorities, exchange experiences and connect with organisations already working on these issues.

They will also be able to draw on the expertise, networks and support of the Commonwealth Secretariat and its coalition of more than 100 accredited organisations.

Ms Botchwey said spouses and partners of Commonwealth Heads of Government had used their voices and influence to bring overlooked issues into the light, shift attitudes and break down stigma.

She added that the new initiative would enable them to “reach more people and make a greater difference where it is needed most.”

At the gathering, participating spouses and partners discussed shared priorities, identified areas where they could lead advocacy efforts and agreed to advance the work through the new platform.

Maria Browne, spouse of the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, said some of the issues that cause the greatest harm were often the most difficult to discuss openly.

She added that these challenges were not unique to any one country, although they might be experienced differently.

According to her, the platform would provide spouses and partners with an opportunity to share experiences, work together and draw greater attention to “issues that too often remain in the shadows.”

Meanwhile, Ann Davis, spouse of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, called for stronger efforts to address inequality, intimidation, bullying and violence against women and girls.

She also stressed the need to remove cultural and legal barriers limiting women’s participation in economic activities, adding that “our Commonwealth has a need for female innovators.”