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What is the current state of gender equality in Saint Barthélemy? That was the question posed by Aude Luquet, Interministerial Coordinator for Gender Equality, during her visit to the island on Friday, May 22. Although her stay was relatively brief, it allowed the former representative from Seine-et-Marne to hold several meetings.
After stops in Martinique and then Saint Martin, Aude Luquet arrived in Saint Barth. Following a rough crossing, she was received at the Collectivité by Territorial Council President Xavier Lédée, accompanied by several department heads. The coordinator then visited the Irénée de Bruyn Hospital before meeting with business leaders in Saint-Jean, at the offices of the CEM (Multiprofessional Economic Chamber).
“The goal of my mission is to assess the situation regarding gender equality in the overseas territories,” explains Aude Luquet. “This includes issues related to violence against women, professional equality, women’s health, and the culture of equality—that is, gender equality.”
From her meeting with the business leaders, she notes: “You get the sense that this is a unique island with many distinctive characteristics. The issues that come up are housing and childcare. At the same time, you feel that entrepreneurial spirit. I get the impression it’s almost in Saint-Barth’s DNA. They say if you want to succeed, you have to work; if you work, you succeed—that’s it. That’s how I felt it and understood it. The challenges aren’t any greater than that when it comes to starting a business.”
The visit was also an opportunity to discuss violence against women. “One of the priorities of the 2026–2027 mission is to understand the journey of a woman who is a victim of violence,” emphasizes Aude Luquet. “Especially in terms of housing, mobility, and financial independence. The idea behind housing is to ensure the removal of the perpetrators. We must protect women who are victims of violence, but not necessarily by having them permanently leave the home where they were victimized. Today, there are protection orders that are enforced much more frequently than before, including no-contact orders. It must be the perpetrators who are required to leave, not the victims.”
While the interministerial coordinator notes “less domestic violence than in other areas” in Saint Barthélemy, she qualifies this by emphasizing that “not everything is smooth sailing.” Vigilance and efforts to improve victim support systems therefore remain essential.
