Equality Bahamas featured in Humanist International’s “Freedom of Thought Report”

On October 7, 2021, Humanist International published a Freedom of Thought report focusing on key issues in The Bahamas —

Constitution and government, Education and children’s rights, Family, Community, and Society, and Freedom of expression, advocacy of humanist values.

Equality Bahamas’ work was highlighted specifically under woman’s rights, Family, Community, and Society.

Equality Bahamas, a volunteer-run organization reports that issues of discrimination, misogyny, homophobia and transphobia are “amplified by religious fundamentalism and antiquated laws and policies,” arguing that such issues are exacerbated by governments acquiescing to the wishes of religious leaders.

A report by Equality Bahamas has underlined the difficulties in reporting domestic violence to the police. The police in some cases do not respond to calls regarding domestic violence. The report highlights the role of Christian expectation of women’s submission and gender stereotypes plays in this issue. These factors according to the volunteer groups are perpetuated by “people and organizations in authority such as the church. It is frequently said that women are to submit themselves to their husbands, seemingly without any form of reciprocation or responsibility on the part of the husbands.

Read the full report from Humanist International here.