The Tribune

By US Chargé d’Affaires John Dinkelman

International Women’s Day is a celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women in recognition of their economic, political, and social achievements.

Supporting women is a high-yield investment, resulting in stronger economies, more vibrant civil societies, healthier communities, and greater peace and stability.

On this International Women’s Day, formally observed on March 8, 2014, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all Bahamians to continue in your pursuit of equality for all women of the Bahamas.

We recognise the courageous and unwavering tenacity of Bahamian women during the suffrage movement over 50 years ago, which set the stage for majority rule and independence in 1973.

I congratulate The Bahamas for the progress that has been made, as women continue to excel in government, education, health, business and many other sectors.

For the past seven years in honour of International Women’s Day, the United States Government has asked its embassies around the world to nominate one female leader for the International Women of Courage Award.

Embassy Nassau has recognised several outstanding Bahamian women for their contributions to nation building and the empowerment of women.

Those honoured have included: Ms Rose Mae Bain for her work with HIV/AIDS; Dr Sandra Dean-Patterson for championing the fight against domestic violence; the Hon Janet Bostwick for her contribution to empowerment and advancement of women, particularly in the labour force, and Ms A Missouri Sherman-Peter for outstanding public service.

This year, US Embassy Nassau has selected Mrs Andrea Archer as the Bahamas International Women of Courage award recipient.

Mrs Archer, a retired public servant, became the first Bahamian School social worker in 1969. She is known for opening the doors in the field of social work in the Bahamas’ school system and has made it possible for thousands of youth to have uninterrupted access to health care and education.

She is a nation builder, pioneer of women’s rights, and a human rights activist who preserved in the struggle to effectively address inequalities faced by Bahamian women.

She is credited for establishing the Providing Access to Continued Education (PACE) programme that has afforded teenage girls an opportunity to continue their education throughout their pregnancy in a supportive atmosphere and then later return to the regular school system.

Approximately 12,000 teenage girls have passed through the PACE programme since 1969.

I wholeheartedly agree with First Lady Michelle Obama that, women of courage, “every day, with every life they touch and every spirit they raise, they are creating ripples that stretch across the globe”.

I congratulate Mrs Archer for her steadfast commitment to ensure that so many young women of the Bahamas have that same opportunity to create ripples that stretch across our vast globe.

Despite tremendous advances by Bahamian women, they still struggle for equality with their male counterparts (particularly for the right to pass on citizenship to their children born to non-Bahamian fathers) and eradicating from Bahamian society the alarming devastation of violence against women and girls.

International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to emphasise the United States’ strong commitment to partner with both governmental and non-governmental organisations to free women and girls from violence, whether that violence happens behind closed doors or in public as a tactic of intimidation.

The effects of violence against women damage our families, our economy, and our security. Eliminating gender-based violence requires the concerted efforts of the international community, civil society, and the many unsung heroes who work tirelessly to stop violence against women in their own communities.

It is a an undeniable fact that all societies benefit when women are healthy, safe, and can contribute their labour, leadership, and creativity to the national economy.

In highlighting the significance of International Women’s Day, noting the importance of the inclusion of women in peace building and conflict prevention, United States Secretary of State John Kerry stated that “countries that value and empower women to participate fully in decision-making are more stable, prosperous, and secure. The opposite is also true. When women are excluded from negotiations, the peace that follows is more tenuous. Trust is eroded, and human rights and accountability are often ignored”.

I wish Bahamian women continued success in their endeavours to create a better society and build a better Bahamas for everyone. The United States Embassy remains committed to partnering with the people of the Bahamas to overcome gender inequalities and end all forms of violence and discriminatory practices against women. We believe that together, we can move forward to ensure that all women and girls have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.