The empowerment of women is a critical issue facing the world in the 21st century. Since the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing, this has been a focal point for the ministry of the Anglican Observer. In March of 2004, the Anglican Communion, working through the Office of the Anglican Observer, fielded a delegation of 55 Anglican women to the 48th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. Apart from their interventions during the meetings, Anglican women have returned to their parishes committed to the implementation of (a) the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action; and, (b) the Millennium Development goals