FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — A United States Embassy official has urged Bahamian women not to wait around for men to grant women equal rights under the constitution or outlaw marital rape, The Tribune reported on Monday, March 6, 2023, in and article written by its Freeport-based reporter Denise Maycock.
Usha Pitts, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in The Bahamas, was speaking at the International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute (IBWPPI) 14th annual board of directors retreat in Freeport.
The event was held from March 2-3.
During her opening remarks, Ms Pitts said the more women support each other, the more they can accelerate change in the political power structure.
“The fact is that nothing changes for women until we take political power,” Ms Pitts told the gathering.
She said it was progress when seven Bahamian women were elected to Parliament during The Bahamas’ last election
“So, it was really big, not a monumental victory because men still got elected four to one compared to women, but it was progress. And it showed that little by little Bahamian women are starting to take the political power they deserve. And that word is very important because no one gives political power, you got to take it.”
Mrs Pitts said every time a woman takes political power in The Bahamas, she helps the government reflect the country itself.
“That is truly what representative democracy is all about,” she added.
The US Embassy official urged Bahamian women: “Do not wait around for men to grant women equality under the constitution. They had 50 years to do it, and it hasn’t happened.
“Do not wait for men to outlaw marital rape as I heard so many men say on Bahamian radio there is no rape in marriage. Do not wait for men to give women reproductive rights and control over the health of their own bodies – they won’t do it,” she said.
In America, she noted that black women and girls are also challenged in terms of equality in a number of areas.
She said the IBWPPI is aware of them and is working every day to improve the lives of black women and girls.
See complete article in The Tribune in at http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/06/dont-wait-men-give-you-rights-us-official-urges-wo/
