Women’s Wednesdays: Redefining Leadership

On February 3, 2021, Aneesah Abdullah faciliated a Women’s Wednesdays session called Redefining Leadership.

Only 12 percent of those currently sitting in parliament are women. This is well below the United Nations’ minimum quota of 30 percent. We know that even that is not enough.

– What do we need from our current women leaders in order to create real change?
– How do we measure women’s leadership value? How do we refrain from essentializing women as leaders?
– What kind of leadership do we want to see among leaders in various sectors? How can feminist leadership be manifested in those sectors?
– How do we address power in the context of women’s leadership?

Women’s Wednesdays was designed by Equality Bahamas as a response to community members’ requests for a space to access resources, experts, and practitioners, share knowledge, and engage in conversation with one another. Officially started in May 2017, Women’s Wednesdays highlights Bahamian women and our experiences in The Bahamas, specific to our identities including gender, race, sexuality, age, and ability. Held once per month at minimum, the events draw women together to have conversations that bring our individual lives into focus while connecting to family, community, and national narratives.

 

Watch the replay of the session below.

 

Women’s Wednesdays: Learning from 2020

Events

On January 14, 2021, we hosted a discussion about 2020 led by Alexis Bethel, Dr. Melissa Evans, and Jessica Russell

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us realized that a lot of systems are stacked against us as women, black people, queer people, people experiencing poverty, and people living in small island developing states. It’s to our benefit to think about our experience of 2020 and try to take as much as we can from it, to set realistic goals and create positive change in our lives.

Women’s Wednesdays was designed by Equality Bahamas as a response to community members’ requests for a space to access resources, experts, and practitioners, share knowledge, and engage in conversation with one another. Officially started in May 2017, Women’s Wednesdays highlights Bahamian women and our experiences in The Bahamas, specific to our identities including gender, race, sexuality, age, and ability. Held once per month at minimum, the events draw women together to have conversations that bring our individual lives into focus while connecting to family, community, and national narratives.
 

Watch the replay of the session below.

 

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2020

We’ve got a great lineup of free, virtual events from November 25 to December 8 as a part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence global campaign. Get trained in bystander intervention, learn how to talk to the young people in your life about building healthy relationships, get online safety tips, learn about C190, and be in conversation with dozens of people on a range of topics with us.

We’re looking forward to seeing you multiple times throughout the campaign, so be sure to check out the three-part schedule, register for as many events as you’d like to attend, and share widely.

We’ll kick things off with an Instagram Live on Wednesday, November 25, which is International Day to End Violence Against Women. Our conversation with Stephen Thompson, Erin Greene, and Kadesha Treco is called “Feminist Policymaking: Centering Vulnerable Communities in Recommendations to End Gender-Based Violence.”

Celebrating 58 years of Women’s Suffrage in The Bahamas on Thursday, November 26, join us for Bystander Intervention Training with Lauren Glinton.

On Friday November 27, we’re having a session called “Redefining Peace: Global Strategies to End Violence Against Women” with Ava Turnquest (Eyewitness News), Aneesah Abdullah (SDG Unit), Patrice Daniel, Krishanti Dharmaraj (Feminist Alliance for Rights).

Calling all parents, guardians, teachers, youth workers, and people working with young people on a regular basis to participate in our workshop about Talking to Children About Healthy Relationships with Taitu Heron and Chelsea Foster.

On Sunday, November 29, join Carla Moore for Critical Reflection on Personal Trauma and Power, followed by a breathwork session with Mykah Smith.

Tuesday, December 1 is World AIDS Day and we encourage you to support The Bahamas AIDS foundation and learn more by following them on social media.

On Wednesday, December 2, we have our 16 Days edition of our Women’s Wednesdays series — Personal Finance with Lakeisha Rolle of The Financial Academy.

Women’s Wednesdays: GBV Policy Recommendations

While the media and government have been tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, another health crisis has been raging: domestic violence. With widespread unemployment, curfews, and lockdowns, survivors are often forced to spend more time with their abusers and have fewer opportunities to escape or seek help. Women and children are most at-risk. How will the government address gender based violence? What is their plan to handle the impact of new public health measures on those who are at risk of abuse? We have yet to hear any real answers. The recent murder of a young mother and her daughter is a jarring reminder of the urgency of the issue and a call to take action now.
Join us at 6:00pm November 4th on Zoom to draft a set of policy recommendations to the government on how to address gender-based violence. We will break into small groups to brainstorm and develop solutions.

Workshop Focus:
How can we demand the government address the issue of domestic violence in The Bahamas?

Women’s Wednesdays was founded by Equality Bahamas as a response to community members’ requests for a space to access resources, experts, and practitioners, share knowledge, and engage in conversation with one another. Officially started in May 2017, Women’s Wednesdays highlights Bahamian women and our experiences in The Bahamas, specific to our identities including gender, race, sexuality, age, and ability. Held once per month at minimum, the events draw women together to have conversations that bring our individual lives into focus while connecting to family, community, and national narratives.
#WW242 intentionally centers and prioritizes women and girls, and is open to the public through in-person events, livestreams, and social media activity. With the support of the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, we create a safe space for knowledge-building, idea-sharing, critical dialogue, and movement-building.
Inspired by Equality Bahamas’ Women’s Wednesdays, there is now a similar initiative in Guyana, and other countries in the Caribbean are expected to follow.

Women’s Wednesdays: Health & Wellness

The age of coronavirus has forced many of us to find creative ways to maintain our health and wellbeing. We put our heads together to discuss the following questions and more:

Discussion Questions:
-What are some everyday strategies to improve health and wellness on a budget?
-How do we know if we are getting the vitamins and minerals our bodies need?
-How can we make fitness inclusive for all types of bodies?
-What barriers to health and wellness do women face?
-What changes are needed to overcome these barriers?

Women’s Wednesdays was founded by Equality Bahamas as a response to community members’ requests for a space to access resources, experts, and practitioners, share knowledge, and engage in conversation with one another. Officially started in May 2017, Women’s Wednesdays highlights Bahamian women and our experiences in The Bahamas, specific to our identities including gender, race, sexuality, age, and ability. Held once per month at minimum, the events draw women together to have conversations that bring our individual lives into focus while connecting to family, community, and national narratives.

#WW242 intentionally centers and prioritizes women and girls, and is open to the public through in-person events, livestreams, and social media activity. With the support of the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, we create a safe space for knowledge-building, idea-sharing, critical dialogue, and movement-building. Inspired by Equality Bahamas’ Women’s Wednesdays, there is now a similar initiative in Guyana, and other countries in the Caribbean are expected to follow.

Watch the replay from the online event that took place October 7, 2020 below:

Women’s Wednesdays: Health & Wellness

When Hurricane Dorian hit in September 2019, it quickly became clear that our lives in The Bahamas would never be the same. Recovery for those affected by Dorian is limited and ongoing as we face the 2020 hurricane season.

1) What have we learnt from climate events like Dorian?
2) What practical steps can we take today to prepare for the next superstorm?
3) How is climate change specifically affecting marginalized groups including women, LGBT+ people, migrants, and people with disabilities?
4) How can we cultivate sustainable communities?
5) What resources are available for healing and support?

Women’s Wednesdays was founded by Equality Bahamas as a response to community members’ requests for a space to access resources, experts, and practitioners, share knowledge, and engage in conversation with one another. Officially started in May 2017, Women’s Wednesdays highlights Bahamian women and our experiences in The Bahamas, specific to our identities including gender, race, sexuality, age, and ability. Held once per month at minimum, the events draw women together to have conversations that bring our individual lives into focus while connecting to family, community, and national narratives.

#WW242 intentionally centers and prioritizes women and girls, and is open to the public through in-person events, livestreams, and social media activity. With the support of the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, we create a safe space for knowledge-building, idea-sharing, critical dialogue, and movement-building.

Inspired by Equality Bahamas’ Women’s Wednesdays, there is now a similar initiative in Guyana, and other countries in the Caribbean are expected to follow.

Watch the replay from the online event that took place September 2, 2020 below:

LGBTQ+ Film Weekend

It’s another lockdown weekend, so let’s make the most of it. We’ve got a great lineup of LGBTQ+ films for you. Use the registration link to sign up for days you’d like to join us. If you have never used Zoom before, visit zoom.us to download it on the device you’ll use this weekend.

FRIDAY
6pm: Paris is Burning
Register: http://tiny.cc/filmfriday

SATURDAY
1pm: 195 Lewis
6pm: Philly Ballroom
***Followed by discussion with Equality Bahamas team***
Register: http://tiny.cc/filmsaturday
SUNDAY
1pm: Pieta
5pm: Children of God
***Follow by discussion with Bahamian director and filmmaker Kareem Mortimer***
Register: http://tiny.cc/filmsunday

Women’s Wednesdays: Race and Racism in The Bahamas

The ongoing worldwide protests against the murder of George Floyd by U.S. police have sparked an uptick in conversation about race and racism in The Bahamas. What does racism look like in a majority black country? How do the racial injustices of the past continue to impact us in the present? How can we come together as a community and as a region to heal and find new paths forward?

Discussion Questions:
What does racism look like in The Bahamas today?
How can we stand in solidarity against racism as a community and as a Caribbean region?
What is the reparations movement about?
How can we heal from the ongoing impacts of slavery and racism?
What might decolonisation look like for us?

Women’s Wednesdays was founded by Equality Bahamas as a response to community members’ requests for a space to access resources, experts, and practitioners, share knowledge, and engage in conversation with one another. Officially started in May 2017, Women’s Wednesdays highlights Bahamian women and our experiences in The Bahamas, specific to our identities including gender, race, sexuality, age, and ability. Held once per month at minimum, the events draw women together to have conversations that bring our individual lives into focus while connecting to family, community, and national narratives.

#WW242 intentionally centers and prioritizes women and girls, and is open to the public through in-person events, livestreams, and social media activity. With the support of the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, we create a safe space for knowledge-building, idea-sharing, critical dialogue, and movement-building.

Inspired by Equality Bahamas’ Women’s Wednesdays, there is now a similar initiative in Guyana, and other countries in the Caribbean are expected to follow.

Watch the replay from the online event that took place July 1, 2020 below:

Women’s Wednesdays: Self-Care in Difficult Times

We are excited about the return of Women’s Wednesdays after two months off during the COVID-19 crisis. We find it fitting that tomorrow’s #WW242 session at 5pm EST will be focused on #SelfCare with the incredible Carla Moore of MooreTalkJa.

Carla Moore is an Artist, Academic, Activist, and Alchemist.
She is a content creator through her MooreTalkJa social media brand where she has undertaken cultural criticism, social intervention, entertainment and healing work for over a decade. Her most recent project is the Upfull Livecast, an Instagram conversation series recording live on Sundays at 11AM Jamaica time (noon EST).

Carla says Upfull exists “to reveal those aspects of black and Caribbean and Jamaican life that we may not discuss but perhaps should. The things like race, gender, sexuality, beauty, desire, and class that are complicated and sensitive because they carry trauma and shame and may function outside of what is deemed acceptable. To heal those things by highlighting community and connection and resilience and survival liberatory practices and tools that we can use to have more fulfilling lives.”

Learn more about Carla, check out her content, and follow he on social media:
Twitter| Facebook| Instagram @mooretalkja
IG: @honeyandlimeja @beupfull

Women’s Wednesdays was founded by Equality Bahamas as a response to community members’ requests for a space to access resources, experts, and practitioners, share knowledge, and engage in conversation with one another. Officially started in May 2017, Women’s Wednesdays highlights Bahamian women and our experiences in The Bahamas, specific to our identities including gender, race, sexuality, age, and ability. Held once per month at minimum, the events draw women together to have conversations that bring our individual lives into focus while connecting to family, community, and national narratives. #WW242 intentionally centers and prioritizes women and girls, and is open to the public through in-person events, livestreams, and social media activity. With the support of the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, we create a safe space for knowledge-building, idea-sharing, critical dialogue, and movement-building. Inspired by Equality Bahamas’ Women’s Wednesdays, there is now a similar initiative in Guyana, and other countries in the Caribbean are expected to follow.

Watch the replay of the event that took place June 10, 2020 below.

International Women’s Day Expo 2020

Our second annual Expo for Women & Girls will be held on Saturday, March 7 at The Dundas on Mackey Street.

It all starts with the Tiny Talks Speaker Series. Hear from organizations, experts, and practitioners about what they do, why, and how they can help you. Then the workshops begin with a variety of options from yoga and art session to eating well on a budget and condom demonstrations. We’ll also have free rapid HIV testing on site. Gain practical skills, knowledge you can share with family members and loved ones, and a better idea of the resources available to you here in The Bahamas. This is a family-friendly event, and intentionally centers women and girls. Watch this page for updates on speakers and workshops.

At the expo, we will officially launch the #Strike5ive campaign. Come to find out what it’s all about and how you can join.
There’ll be food and drinks for sale on site, but entry and access to the resources and activities is free. It’s a great way to celebrate International Women’s Day!