NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The leaders of several political parties, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were among those recognizing International Women’s Day 2021 yesterday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement celebrated it alongside Commonwealth Day 2021.
“As we celebrate both Commonwealth Day and International Women’s Day, let us continue to promote positive changes in both gender equality with the goal of a common future,” the statement read.
It added: “In recognition of International Women’s Day, The Bahamas can celebrate numerous examples of women in leadership positions. These include, but are not limited to, the appointment of Mrs Patricia Minnis as chair (2021) of the Spouses of CARICOM Leaders Association Network (SCLAN), Ms Marion Bethel serving a second term (2021 to 2024) as an expert on the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Ambassador Keva Bain as president of the 73rd Session of the World Health Assembly and vice chair of the Human Rights Council (2021), Ambassador Maria O’Brien as chair of the Caribbean Group (2018) of the-then African, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP) in Brussels and leading The Bahamas team during the negotiations towards the successor agreement to the Cotonou Agreement, Mrs Nicole Campbell as secretary to the Cabinet and leader of the Bahamian Public Service, Ambassador Denise Lewis-Johnson as chair of the Bahamas Maritime Authority and many other women in leading positions both in the public, private and civil society sectors.
“There is no question that The Bahamas is playing its part in the global arena and at home towards the advancement of women.”
In a Facebook post, Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis said: “Today as we celebrate the immeasurable impact women have made and continue to make in our world, I am reminded of Dorothy Davis. My mother was full of grace and wisdom. She taught me to follow my dreams, to speak the truth, to lift up others and to be brave.
“Today and every day, may we always listen to and support women as we work together towards a more just and equal future.”
Democratic National Alliance Leader Arinthia Komolafe also issued a statement in which she highlighted the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on women and called for increased representation of women in leadership roles in the country.
“The pandemic has impacted women disproportionately increasing unemployment and poverty levels,” she said.
“The new normal in a world co-existing with COVID-19 will require partnership between men and women to rebuild our economies and restore hope in the midst of despair. True healing of our nation can only take place if the advancement of women is not seen as a threat to the success of our male counterparts. We need all hands on deck.”
Komolafe added: “We must continue to advocate for increased participation and representation of women in the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government as well as in male-dominated occupations in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Math, among others.”
Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, during the swearing in of Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe as minister of state for disaster preparedness, management and reconstruction earlier in the day, acknowledged that the representation of women in the Cabinet is at a historic low given the previous number of women serving at that level.
Minnis said in keeping the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, which is “Choose to Challenge”, he will challenge himself, his party, other political parties and women in the country to collectively ensure more women serve in Parliament and in the Cabinet.
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