Officials at the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, along with partners at the National Women’s Advisory Council, and other women’s non-governmental stakeholders, are gearing up for the annual celebrations of National Women’s Week scheduled for November 24-30.

Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, the Hon. Myles K. LaRoda, said the Week’s 2024 theme: ‘Empowered Women: Refined, Reskilled, Resilient, Resolute,’ underscores the qualities of women — especially Bahamian women – whom he said are “strong, even through times of struggle and hardship.”

Mr. LaRoda said this strength and tenacity were demonstrated during the Women’s Suffrage Era (which concluded in gaining women’s Right to Vote); through times of struggle, and amidst the social and economic challenges faced over the years.

“History records that women and men worked closely together to root out political and economic inequities to obtain the right to vote. Amidst social and economic challenges, women in The Bahamas have demonstrated tenacity.

“Our Women have remained strong through times of struggle and hardship. Amidst social and economic challenges, they have demonstrated tenacity. During this National Women’s Week, it is an opportunity to reflect, celebrate and strategize,” Mr. LaRoda added.

This year marks 62 years since women first voted. (The historic accomplishment took place on November 26, 1962.)  Mr. LaRoda said the right to vote should never be taken lightly.

“As we celebrate the women of the suffrage movement and the historic right to vote, we also celebrate the great strides our women have made and their many accomplishments in various spheres,” Mr. LaRoda said “We also recognize that the work started during the suffrage movement continues to this day through the various women’s organizations who lobby for a life free of violence, true equality and economic empowerment.

“The contributions of those women and men who fought for the enfranchisement of Bahamian Women remained resolute in their goals. Today, we pay tribute to some of the leaders of the Suffrage Movement, including:  Mary Ingraham, Mabel Walker, Georgiana Symonette, Eugenia Lockhart and Doris Johnson.  These brave women were among others who agitated and bravely led the charge of the Suffrage Movement.

“Since that momentous first vote, women have continued to contribute to the building of this great nation.  In commemoration of this significant milestone, the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, in collaboration with the National Women’s Advisory Council, Civil Society and Non-Governmental Women’s Organizations (NGOs) throughout The Bahamas, celebrates National Women’s Week with a series of events.”

The start of National Women’s Week serves as the precursor to the global observance of the United Nations’ Sixteen Days of Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls, which will be observed from November 25, (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day).  The campaign calls for global action to increase awareness, advocacy and innovations to help end violence against women and girls.

The sixteen days of activism are included in the observance of National Women’s Week and, in this regard, the Department of Gender and Family Affairs has organized the End the Violence March and Rally for Sunday, December 7, beginning at 4 p.m.  The March will commence at South Beach Police Station and end at Pinewood Gardens Park with a rally.  It is expected that representation from a cross-section of the country will come together in solidarity to speak out against violence against women and girls.

Activities for the month include: two church services (Saturday, November 23 at 11am at Good News Seventh Day Adventist Church, Flamingo Gardens, and Sunday, November 24 at 10am at New Destiny Cathedral on Gladstone Road.

Other events include a National Women’s Week Empowerment Luncheon featuring a panel of female leaders from across the political divide (November 26); participation in school assemblies, talk shows and the broadcast of the documentary screening: ‘Womanish Ways, Freedom, Human Rights and Democracy.’