The Tribune

By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT

tsmith-cartwright@tribunemedia.net

A DAY after the government laid out its legislative agenda in the Speech from The Throne, the founder of a women’s rights group said it was surprising that the issue of a referendum for gender equality was not one of the top priorities in the speech.

Prodesta Moore, president and founder of Women United, told The Tribune yesterday that this inequality is a “huge disadvantage” for women.

“It was very surprising that that was not one of the top priorities in the speech and we plan to make the courtesy call very soon to the new prime minister to see how very important this aspect is with having so many women now they are representing and in these top positions we’re hoping it’s more favourable to us this time around. So definitely that’s a huge concern for us not having that as a priority on the list coming out of the gate,” she said.

Children born outside of the country to a married Bahamian woman and a foreign man are not automatically granted Bahamian citizenship and thus must apply to receive it.

Back in 2016, a gender equality referendum asked the electorate whether they would support four constitutional amendments. One of those questions included Bahamian women being afforded this right as their male counterparts, but it was rejected.

Ms Moore questioned the need for another referendum.

“I don’t even know if you need to go at the point of holding a referendum,” she said. “I believe …..that this is something the government can make a priority because to go now and to spend taxpayers’ money having another referendum unless there is public education involved it’s going to be a waste of time. Something that the government needs to look (at is to) see how we can have this path without having to go to a referendum if necessary. If that’s possible I’d like to see that happen as a priority in Parliament.”

She highlighted the impact this inequality has on families.

“One of the disadvantages for women what we don’t understand is that it affects the entire family. If you are married to a foreign national and you have children, now those children are disadvantaged. They can’t get the type of support that the family deserves. So this is definitely a priority for women across the board, so we’d like to see that happen and be taken very seriously,” Ms Moore said.

“There are instances where this can be an advantage for The Bahamas once we allow persons to come in as they are regulated in the proper format. We’re not saying sell citizenship, but we say give them where it’s due. If you can pass it on to the man, you definitely can pass it on to the woman.”