The Tribune

NOW is the time for women in key leadership positions to publicly take a stand against the discrimination of women in the Bahamas, says the president of the DNA’s Women’s Alliance.

Prodesta Moore said: “Let us join in and celebrate the historic moment of Queen Elizabeth II signing a new Commonwealth Charter that is designed to eliminate discrimination against women and girls as part of a new promotion to boost human rights and living standards across the Commonwealth.

“We as women can not continue to ignore laws which discriminate against Bahamian women. We have to come together and speak out on the issue of discrimination. Let our voices be heard. I encourage you to contact your Member of Parliament, call the radio stations and begin to speak out against the discrimination of women.

“We have seen too many forms of discrimination here in the Bahamas and will continue to experience it if we don’t unite on this issue that affects all women and girls,” she said.

“Queen Elizabeth II in her signing of this agreement has sent out a strong and powerful message to the world in support of women’s rights. It is with this bold action, that we are calling on all women in leadership to follow the Queen,” said Ms Moore.

“Let’s take a stand against discrimination and gender inequality. It is our very own constitution that discriminates against its citizens. It is sad to say to my seven years old granddaughter that the reason why she does not have a Bahamian passport is because men and women in Bahamas do not have the same rights.

“We are seeking the removal of the constitutional anomaly which exists with regard to women and the ability to pass on their citizenship to their children. We are calling for the elimination of all forms of discrimination from our constitution, specifically as it relates to the discrimination against women in the Bahamas. We demand gender equality and move for the advancement of women in leadership roles in government with equal pay and equal responsibilities.

“Imagine having a daughter who is married to an American man. They have two children born in the US. The children whose mother is a Bahamian does not inherit their mother’s citizenship because she is a woman and her husband is not automatically given the right to citizenship allowing him to work and support his family. Now imagine that same scenario, only now with your son being married to an American woman. She and their two children automatically become citizens of the Bahamas because of him being a male child. This clearly is gender discrimination. The same rights given to your sons should be given to your daughters.”

After forty years of independence, Ms Moore said it is time for our laws to change.

“The constitution reform commission is going to make recommendations to the government very shortly. Again we are asking that this be placed on their high priority list and gets immediate attention.”