The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

CITIZENS for Constitutional Equality, a non-partisan, civil society network, has renewed calls for the government to make a decision on the proposed constitutional referendum and remove all uncertainty over the country’s position on gender equality.

Officials said the government’s “mixed signals are creating confusion and distrust,” adding that many Bahamians “stand ready to vote in support of equality”.

In a statement, the group said that both history and justice requires an end to gender discrimination.

“Equality is a basic human right, affirmed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Bahamian Constitution,” the statement said.

“The government has a history of declaring and affirming its support for gender equality when speaking on international platforms, and in conventions signed on behalf of the Bahamian people. The seemingly indefinite delay on this important domestic issue runs contrary to our shared commitment to equality.”

According to the group, as a part of the Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the government committed itself and the nation to, in part, “condemn discrimination against women in all its forms and pursue by all appropriate means and without delay a policy of eliminating discrimination against women.”

“The government also committed to modifying social and cultural patterns to eliminate prejudices based on the idea of the inferiority or the superiority of either of the sexes or on stereotyped roles for women and men.

“This commitment is of supreme importance in light of the ongoing epidemic of violence against women. Violence against women thrives in an environment where inequality and the rigid application of gender stereotypes go unchecked.”

Officials said they are counting on the government to show its commitment in action and not in words.

The referendum has been delayed four times. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Perry Christie said he did not want to postpone the referendum again and hoped to hold it this June.

When contacted by The Tribune last week, Constitutional Commission Chairman Sean McWeeney said the June date for the vote was “highly unlikely”.

However, Mr McWeeney said the government remains committed to making the proposed referendum a reality. Last week National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage, who has ministerial responsibility for referendums, said the government has not abandoned plans for the vote, but did not provide a new timeline for the event.

Citizens for Constitutional Equality is calling on the government to set a date for the referendum and provide a minimum of four months for a thorough public education campaign.

The group said it will not stand for an indefinite postponement, adding that nor should the government.

“For the benefit of the country, the government should be forthright about its intentions and demonstrate its position with decisive action.

“The public wavering and mixed signals serve only to hamper the cause and to undermine the integrity of the government’s stated commitment to equality.”

CCE is managed by a steering committee consisting of Alicia Wallace, Audrey Roberts, Donna Nicolls, Fran Dillet, Janet Fountain, Marion Bethel, Natalie Bethel, Noelle Nicolls, Dr Sandra Dean-Patterson.