What More Y’all Want?
Equal National Rights
Bahamian women do not currently have the right to pass on citizenship to their children or spouses while Bahamian men do. This inequality is enshrined in the constitution and a referendum is required to amend it. In the interim, the issue can be addressed with an amendment to The Nationality Act.
Criminalization of Marital Rape
It is currently not illegal for a person to rape their spouse in The Bahamas. In its definition of rape, the Sexual Offences Act provides an exemption to spouses. Criminalizing marital rape requires parliament to amend Section 3, removing “who is not his spouse” from the definition of rape.
Decriminalization of Abortion
Abortion is restricted in The Bahamas with very few circumstances under which it is legal. Abortion needs to be decriminalized and made accessible to all, and for any reason.
Data on Femicide
The killings of women and girls in The Bahamas are not recorded and counted as femicide. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to identify root causes, identify trends, and address femicide. It is critical that we collect, analyze, and share data on femicide and incorporate it into gender-based violence prevention and intervention.
Parental Leave
Maternity leave of three months is granted to birthing parents while non-birthing parents do not have any paid leave. Share parental leave is critical to change the harmful gender ideology that place domestic and care responsibility on women.
Non-discrimination on the Basis of Gender
The prohibited grounds of discrimination in the constitution include race, class, and place of origin, but not sex. The 2016 referendum included a question on including sex, but it was rejected. We need to include gender and sexual orientation in the prohibited grounds of discrimination.
Non-discrimination on the Basis of Sexuality
The prohibited grounds of discrimination in the constitution include race, class, and place of origin, but not sex. The 2016 referendum included a question on including sex, but it was rejected. We need to include gender and sexual orientation in the prohibited grounds of discrimination.
Gender Mainstreaming in Government
More Information Coming Soon.
Implementation of ILO C190
The International Labor Organization’s Convention 190, Eliminating Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, was ratified by The Bahamas in November 2022, and has yet to be implemented. Recommendation 206 can be implemented by entities in the public and private sectors in the interim.
Gender-based Violence Bill
The Gender-Based Violence bill was drafted and “consultations” were held, yet the bill was shelved while the “Protection Against Violence” Act was passed, failing to address the specific issue of gender-based violence which requires a specialized prevention plan and response. It is not a substitute for the Gender-Based Violence bill.
Justice for Survivors
More Information Coming Soon.
Rehabilitation for Perpetrators
More Information Coming Soon.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education in All Schools
It is critical that students learn about bodily autonomy, the difference between sex and rape, consent, contraception options, and the importance of pleasure in order to make good decisions, recognize red flags in relationships, and report predation and violence.
Criminalization of Hate Speech
More Information Coming Soon.
Withdrawal of reservations on CEDAW Articles 2(a) and 9(2)
The Bahamas ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1995, but it reserved on Articles 2(a) and 9(2).
One-stop GBV Reporting and Support Services
More Information Coming Soon.
Equal Pay
More Information Coming Soon.
Access to Protection Orders
More Information Coming Soon.
Access to STEM for girls
More Information Coming Soon.
National Gender Machinery
A national gender machinery is at the highest level of government and supports mainstreaming of gender equality perspectives and initiatives in all areas. The Department of Gender and Family Affairs is under-resourced, unfit for purpose, and does not even have its own budget. Learn More.
Home Birthing
More Information Coming Soon.