Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, the Hon. Myles Laroda addressed the United Nations Commission On The Status Of Women this week.

During his presentation The Minister told the body of the challenges facing The Bahamas. He said, “like other small island developing states The Bahamas remains deeply vulnerable to climate change, natural disasters and external economic shocks. The COVID-19 pandemic struck at a time when Caribbean nations were already navigating significant challenges in implementing the sustainable development goals. The Bahamas addresses these realities with the aims of gender equity informed by the Beijing Declaration and Plaform for Action and the complementary ambitions of the sustainable development goals and the path for the future.”

Laroda also outlined some of the successes of the country. “We have constructed proactive programs that support gender equity with accessible funding initiatives for women and disabled entrepreneurs with great affect on the community of small business initiatives. Enrollment at the University of The Bahamas continue to rise with women comprising a higher percentage of the student population. Bahamian women are now environmental scientists, biomedical scientists, engineers and a Bahamian woman also serves as a first officer for a major cruise line. These are but a few examples.”

The Bahamas has reaffirmed its commitment meet the mandates of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.