Women’s Wednesdays: Women in Business

Thinking about starting a business? Have a side-hustle you want to make your main gig? Looking for an option for passive income? Joined by Gail Hanna, Odaz Lightbourne Beneby, and Candis Marshall, we’re going beyond the typical everyone-should-have-a-business conversation. Women have unique experiences of family, friendship, and work, and women in The Bahamas have particular opportunities and challenges. We’ll consider all of these in our discussion about business, start-up and beyond, work-life balance, and community support.

Our conversation will be guided by these questions:
– What needs to be in the businesswoman’s toolkit?
– How do we know our skill or talent lends itself to a business? Is there a checklist?
– Who do we need in our corner as we go through the process of starting a business?
– What are our options for accessing capital?
– How do we identify the ideal business partner, vendor, and consumer?
– How do we balance the demands of work/business with those of our personal lives?

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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 our lead.

International Women’s Day Expo for Women & Girls: Press for Progress

International Women’s Day is on Thursday, March 8, and the theme is #PressForProgress. This year’s march is raising awareness of issues affecting women and girls, and demanding legislative changes to recognize women’s rights and human rights.

***WEAR PURPLE IF YOU CAN***

No means no, and only yes means yes. Rape is rape, no matter where it occurs, who is involved, what religion they practice, or how much time passes before it is reported. Bodily autonomy is necessary, and must be supported by all institutions and influencers. We are all responsible for creating a culture of consent.
Stand in solidarity with us at the Eastern Parade. Join us in taking our message to the streets. Lead the way to where we’ll spend the day, at the Expo for Women & Girls at The Dundas. Bring friends and family to engage organizers, experts, and practitioners, and participate in free workshops. It all begins with the #PressForProgress march at 9am.

**ROUTE**

Assemble on the Eastern Parade. March east on East Bay Street; south on Mackey Street; end at The Dundas on Mackey Street. We’ll go directly into the Tiny Talk Speaker Series and Expo.

**SIGNS**

Don’t forget to bring your sign! Want to work with others to make signs? Come to our sign-making event on Thursday.

After the march, the expo from 10am to 3pm 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 therapy to eating well on a budget and bystander intervention training. 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. Please note that this is a family-friendly event, and intentionally centers women and girls. Watch this page for updates on speakers and workshops.
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!

Women’s Wednesdays: International Women’s Day

As International Women’s Day approaches, with the theme of #PressForProgress, we’re going to talk about women’s bodies, stories, and rights. Joined by Gaynel Curry (Director, Department of Gender and Family Affairs), Iris Adderley (Consultant, Secretariat of The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities), and Charlotte Henay (Researcher, Poet), we will talk about the progress we have (not) made in recent years, the work left to be done, and who needs to do it. To bring context to the discussion, we will reflect on the 2016 referendum and respond to ongoing conversation about marital rape.

Our conversation will be guided by these questions:
– The theme for International Women’s Day 2018 is #PressForProgress. What should this look like here, in The Bahamas? And for your community?
– What do we need to know about international conventions and declarations like CEDAW?
– What is feminism in the Bahamian context, and who is it for?
– Who are the women and girls we are leaving behind? How do we remedy this?
– How can we use storytelling/sharing in our #PressForProgress?
– How can we reconcile Christianity and rights and protection of women and girls?
– What is your response to the conversation around marital rape?
– How can we create a culture of consent?

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 will 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. It is a collaborative effort of Equality Bahamas and the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas to create a safe space for knowledge-building, idea-sharing, critical dialogue, and movement-building.

Women’s Wednesdays: Healthy Relationships

As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s a good time to talk about relationships. Joined by Donna Nicolls, Denise Major, and Simmone Bowe, we’re going beyond romantic and sexual relationships to consider and discuss familial relationships, friendships, and dynamics within the workplace.

Our conversation will be guided by these questions:
– What is a healthy relationship?
– What are the signs of an unhealthy relationship?
– What is the best way to set boundaries in new relationships? In existing relationships?
– How can we identify toxicity?
– How can we assess our relationships?
– How can we, in the family, workplace, civic organization, church, and friend group help each other to form and maintain healthy relationships, and exit unhealthy relationships?

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 will 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. It is a collaborative effort of Equality Bahamas and the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas to create a safe space for knowledge-building, idea-sharing, critical dialogue, and movement-building.

Women’s Wednesdays: Health & Wellness

#WomensWednesdays 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 will draw women together to have conversations that bring our individual lives into focus while connecting to family, community, and national narratives.

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

The holidays are behind us, resolutions have been made for many, and most of 2018 is ahead of us. It’s a good time to talk about women’s health and wellness, taking our whole beings into consideration.

Our conversation will be guided by these questions:
– What is the difference between health and wellness?
– What options exists for people who want to live and be well, but don’t have much money?
– Where do physical and mental health intersect?
– What everyday practices should we adopt to improve overall health and wellness?
– What should we be advocating for to make complete healthcare accessible for all women?

Watch the replay of the session from January 7, 2018 below.

Women’s Wednesday’s – Health & Wellness from NAGBahamas on Vimeo.

Women’s Wednesdays: Women and Money

#WomensWednesdays 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 will draw women together to have conversations that bring our individual lives into focus while connecting to family, community, and national narratives.

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

As the holidays approach, money comes to the forefront of our minds as we consider home improvements, decorations, gift-giving, and resolutions for the new year. It’s a great time to look at our spending and saving habits alongside our real earnings. We need to set time aside to identify priorities, create budgets, and scrutinize our thoughts and feelings about money and how they have contributed to current financial standing.

Our conversation will be guided by these questions:
– What is financial management?
– What does a healthy relationship with money look like?
– How can we build independent wealth? What should we consider before investing?
– How may couples determine how much each person contributes to expenses?

Watch the replay of the event on December 6, 2017 below.

Women's Wednesdays – Women and Money: Relationship and Practice from NAGBahamas on Vimeo.

16 Days of Activism 2017: Expressions Wine Poetry Open Mic

Events

Equality Bahamas is coordinating a series of events and actions for #16Days of Activism Against Gender Violence- an internationally observed period from November 25 to December 10, 2017.

In partnership with Sensually Spiritually Culturally Me, Equality Bahamas invites you to Expressions to participate in an evening of story sharing, poetry, and music from and in support of those who have experienced gender-based violence. We will be joined by talented members of UB’s Tingum Collective, UB’s Blue Elites, authors and poets Zemi Holland and Letitia Pratt. Let’s honor the stories of others as authentic experiences and powerful tools in addressing gender-based violence.

16 Days of Activism 2017: Womanish Ways Film Screening

Sunday, November 26, 2017 is the 55th anniversary of the first time Bahamian women voted. Five women – Mary Ingraham, Mabel Walker, Georgiana Symonette, Eugenia Lockhart and Doris Johnson – led the Women’s Suffrage Movement and fought for the enfranchisement of all Bahamian women. “Freedom, Womanish Ways & Democracy” explores the story of the Women’s Suffrage Movement.
Join us at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas on Monday, November 27 to learn about the Women’ Suffrage Movement in The Bahamas, celebrate the successful fight for enfranchisement of Bahamian women, and engage with Director and Producer Marion Bethel.

This event is part of the #16Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign coordinated by Equality Bahamas.

16 Days of Activism 2017: Day of Silence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

We recognize International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the beginning of #16Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence with #DayOfSilence. Join us in sharing the weight of women and girls’ untold stories, recognizing the difficulty of reporting or talking about ongoing or past experiences of violence.
In support of women and girls who feel alone with their stories, we will keep silence on Saturday from midnight to 4pm. Please join us at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas to share the final hour of silence, from 3 to 4pm, and break the silence with drumming and affirmations in a circle of women, girls, and allies. Once we break the silence, we will make our voices heard in a series of actions during the 16-day period and beyond. Like Equality Bahamas on Facebook for frequent updates and the release of the #16Days toolkit.

Women’s Wednesdays: Women’s Political Participation

#WomensWednesdays 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 will draw women together to have conversations that bring our individual lives into focus while connecting to family, community, and national narratives.

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

This conversation centers around women’s political participation, particularly in the wake of bids for leadership by former FNM MP and Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner and current PLP MP Glenys Hanna-Martin and the responses to their audacity. We will look at where we’ve come from, where we are now, and where we need to go. Beyond a general review, we will begin to create a strategy for Bahamian women interested in increasing and improving our political participation and its impact. It is the beginning of a process.
Questions framing our conversation:
– What does political participation mean? What does it look like?
– How, historically, have women participated in political processes, and what can we learn from them?
– What does current representation of women in Parliament and the Senate say about political parties and their values? How can we influence them over the next four years?
– How do Bahamian women in politics relate to, interact with, and share challenges and solutions with the constituency of women in the country?
– What temporary special measures should we consider, particularly for the recruitment, election, and retention of women who will champion women’s rights and fight for gender equality?
– What do we — as individuals and a constituency — need to do to ensure better participation and representation of women in 2022?Watch the replay of the event on November 15, 2017 below.

Women’s Wednesdays – Women’s Political Participation from NAGBahamas on Vimeo.