Young women participating in Antigua and Barbuda's Young Women in Leadership programme took centre stage in a spirited parliamentary debate on cannabis legislation, as part of a special sitting held to mark International Women's Day. According to Antigua News Room, the mock parliamentary session examined a motion to establish a Joint Select Committee to review cannabis-related laws, including the Misuse of Drugs amendments and the Cannabis legislation.
The exercise gave participants a platform to engage directly with one of the more pressing and complex policy questions currently facing the nation. Debating within a parliamentary framework, the young women argued varying positions on the proposed legislative review, demonstrating both preparation and conviction on the subject.
The session formed part of broader International Women's Day commemorations, underscoring the role of youth civic engagement — and women's participation in particular — in shaping public discourse on national policy matters.
The Young Women in Leadership programme is designed to equip young women in Antigua and Barbuda with the skills and exposure necessary to participate meaningfully in governance and public life.
