The United Nations theme for International Women’s Day 2026 is – Rights Justice Action. Two of Jersey’s female politicians and supporters of Soroptimist International Jersey give their views about being a politician in Jersey and how the way the work that they do improves the lives of women in our Island.
Deputy Louise Doublet
International Women’s Day 2026 – Turning Advocacy into Action
On this International Women’s Day I am reflecting back on over a decade in politics and on my years before that as a Primary School Teacher. As a teacher, I was responsible for setting the values and ethos in my classroom, but also working together with the other staff to make the school work as a whole. The same is true in politics. For progress to be made on our island, we need to be true to our values and work hard, and also be part of making change with others. Critically- we must ‘pass the baton’ and encourage other women to also take up leadership roles.
My values have always centred around improving life for women, children and families, and on equality, diversity, inclusion and equity. This year’s themes for IWD are focused on giving, and action.
Many of the actions I have taken as a States Member have focused on the structures of our democracy – this is the foundation that we need to advance women’s equality. I was only the second elected member of our Parliament to have a baby whilst in office.
Deputy Hilary Jeune
International Women’s Day 2026: Rights. Justice. Action.
International Women’s Day is not just a celebration — it is a call to protect rights, pursue justice, and take meaningful action for all women and girls, in Jersey and beyond.
Before entering elected office as Deputy, my work focused on standing alongside women and communities mostly in the Global South to secure basic rights: safety, housing, healthcare, and opportunity. That experience shaped my belief that equality must be delivered in practice, not promised in principle.
Since being elected, I have worked to strengthen women’s rights in Jersey by advancing reforms on Violence Against Women and Girls, pushing for gender-responsive policymaking through the Gender Impact Assessment framework, and raising persistent questions about women’s health — from access to services to the need for a funded, long-term strategy. Rights matter only when they are understood, protected, and accessible.
Justice means recognising unequal impact. Through scrutiny and legislation, I have challenged policies that risk reinforcing inequality, highlighted the gender pay gap, supported parents returning to work, endorsed free child GP consultations, pushed for the review of access to maternity grants, and worked to ensure that laws affecting housing, safety, and public services reflect lived experience — particularly for women, girls, and young people facing disadvantage.
But rights and justice demand action. That is why I have focused on delivery: strengthening safeguards for vulnerable groups, amplifying youth voice, and working across political lines to secure practical improvements. Through my role as Chair of JAYF, I have specifically worked in tackling youth homelessness, enhancing safeguarding, and promoting skills and education.
Progress is not inevitable. Rights can be rolled back, justice delayed, and action diluted. International Women’s Day is a reminder that equality requires sustained effort, political courage, and partnership with communities.
I remain committed to turning rights into reality, justice into policy, and action into lasting change — for all women and girls.