Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
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).
Article 2(a) which obligates States to ensure the principle of gender equality is enshrined in the constitution. This is not the case in The Bahamas The reservation on this Article, in particular, is antithetical to the commitment to the Convention.
Article 9(2) obligates States to ensure that women are able to pass on citizenship to their children on an equal basis with men. This is not the case in The Bahamas.
Reserving on these Articles indicates that The Bahamas does not consider itself bound by them, and it is eschewing the responsibility to create the conditions necessary to make the appropriate amendments to the constitution for gender equality, whether or not a referendum is required.