IWD 2021: Planet Pleasure

This year, our theme for International Women’s Day is pleasure. We welcome you to Planet Pleasure — a place to revel in what we enjoy, explore new potential sources of pleasure, and share what we know and love.

10am – Pleasure Poetics (collaborative poetry) with Brendane Tynes
11am – Practicing Pleasure (theater exercises) with Paula Hamilton-Smith
Noon – On the Mend (DIY clothing repair and refresh) with Hermie Escamilla
1pm – Gardening with Allicia Rolle / Pleasure card-making with Zearier Munroe
2pm – Contemporary Movement (dance) with Shauné Culmer
3pm – Yoga and Yoni Meditation with Mykah Smith

This is not only for heart, mind, and body, but for our feminist politic. It is directly related to the conversation about marital rape (we talk about consent, but what about women’s right to sexual pleasure?). It is also critical to the conversation about women’s unpaid labor and the burden of care, which are barriers to leisure and pleasure. It is a necessary component of our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Pleasure cannot be separated from our lives and what we need to sustain ourselves.

We lean on the wisdom of queer Black feminist women and challenge ourselves to not only demand pleasure, but to give ourselves permission to create and experience it for ourselves.

From Audre Lorde, “The sharing of joy, whether physical, emotional, psychic, or intellectual, forms a bridge between the sharers which can be the basis for understanding much of what is not shared between them, and lessens the threat of their difference.”

From Adrienne Maree Brown: “[…] begin to understand the liberation possible when we collectively orient around pleasure and longing.”

Watch the replay of the event below.

Women’s Wednesdays: Pleasure as a Right and Resource

This session with Carla Moore originally took place March 4, 2021.

We have a right to pleasure. We need to spend more time finding, creating, feeling, and sharing pleasure. It’s time to think about what brings us pleasure and how we can have more of it. Pleasure is not only what feels good to us, but what helps us to understand what is wrong and how to approach it. This month, we are looking at a pleasure as a practice and resource, and as a lens to revisit critical issues such as marital rape and women’s unpaid labor. Life coach, academic, and activist Carla Moore will get us started with the personal, and from International Women’s Day forward, we will get deeper into the political.

– What are the sources of your pleasure?
– How do you create pleasure for yourself, and how do you choose to share it with others?
– What would you explore if you had permission?
– What old messages are you still grappling with that have limited your pleasure?

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 session below.

 

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: