‘Govt should consider new referendum’ (The Nassau Guardian)

Aug. 31, 2022 – The Nassau Guardian

Equality Bahamas’ report on CEDAW featured in The Nassau Guardian on August 31, 2022.

From The Nassau Guardian:

The COG noted that Equality Bahamas’ Shadow Report to CEDAW offers a view on the role of politicians in national discourse on this issue: “The popular excuse from politicians for not making policy changes at the national level is the ‘will of the people,’ but they seldom take on the challenge to make change within their own systems.”

“While the group acknowledges the democratic vote of citizens in this referendum, it is important to educate citizens as to the expansion of rights conferred to women by CEDAW and the benefits to their lives that this brings, particularly as these pertain to democratic and civic participation,” the group stated.

“There is a pressing need for politicians to lead from the front on this issue. The government should ensure that messaging on women’s rights is consistent with CEDAW.

“Further, the government and political parties should meaningfully engage [civil society organizations], human rights groups and the media in strengthening their efforts to educate the public on the provisions of CEDAW and women’s political representation specifically, and seek to shift public attitudes and behavior accordingly.

“The government should strongly consider the announcement of a new referendum on this constitutional change, and the country’s main political parties are urged to provide cross-partisan support for this amendment.”

The group acknowledged that The Bahamas is by no means the only country facing these challenges, and further acknowledged that such a cultural shift in attitudes “will no doubt be incremental”.

The group added, “This process might be aided by a continued increase in the visibility of women in leadership positions in the executive and legislature.