Confronting the real issue(s) in the gender equality debate, pt. 1

Tue, Aug 19th 2014, 06:51 AM

Arinthia S. KomolafeAs one listens to public commentaries on the new hot topic of gender equality and the upcoming referendum, it is almost impossible to refrain from saying "Here we go again". This is because we have developed the habit of inserting politics into every debate and creating confusion among the populace on matters of national importance.This week, we begin our dive into the supposed issues highlighted in the debate for gender equality, in general, and equal rights for women, in particular. This review will conclude with the real issue that underlies the opposition to this progressive initiative.The parliamentary circus A circus is often characterized by the performances of actors and artists seeking to entertain their audiences who would have paid for their services. The Parliament of The Bahamas is supposed to be a place of honor where honorable men and women sit to represent their constituencies, debate and pass laws for the benefit of our people. It was therefore disappointing on Wednesday last week to see the parliamentary caucus deteriorate into a circus and members of Parliament transform into actors seeking to entertain their perceived audiences.What made the performances of the Bahamian drama kings more disturbing was that they chose a critical subject and debate as their avenue for performing, to the displeasure of Bahamians. They saw this as an opportunity to settle political scores, seek brownie points and grandstand at the expense of Bahamian women and men that have been discriminated against for decades.The return of the all-knowing commentators Outside of Parliament, the self-proclaimed experts and self-appointed legal luminaries on all matters in The Bahamas could not wait to commence their so called in-depth analyses and intellectual discussions on the issues associated with the four bills tabled in Parliament to rectify an obscurity that should never have been enshrined in the Constitution of The Bahamas in the first place. The thought legends in their own minds have begun their campaign to play on the emotions of Bahamians and create hysteria on a simple initiative aimed at granting Bahamian women the same rights as the men of this nation and more broadly address the issue of gender inequality in our constitution. The effectiveness of one synonym over another has also been revived as a weapon in the armory of persons that oppose a progressive effort. The question arises at this juncture as to whether there are justifiable reasons to fear or oppose leveling the playing field between the men and women of The Bahamas by amending our constitution.A binding referendumThe debate has resurrected actions and inactions of persons and political parties in relation to referenda in the past. While some old wounds have been reopened and bitter memories revived for different reasons, the biggest risk we face is allowing the past to cripple us and drive us to miss an historical movement in our commonwealth. No matter how hard we try and how much some persons deny the motivation behind their actions, it is obvious that political forces are at work and posturing in the name of conviction is alive in this debate.The upcoming constitutional referendum will be binding and the government is legally constrained to abide by the results or outcome. Hence, no one should use the government's actions in the past as an excuse to relinquish their right to shape the future and destiny of our beloved country. Such an action can be deemed unpatriotic and unfair to generations of Bahamians yet unborn. Whatever the position taken on the questions posed, all Bahamians should cast their votes for the sake of future generations; we owe them that much.Restricting access to citizenshipIt is often said that people fear what they do not know. While this could be understood in general terms, the danger comes when persons that do not know fail to educate themselves on matters they are ignorant on, but act like they have the requisite knowledge and seek to spread their ignorance among the populace. Indeed Confucius said it best when he stated that "true knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance". Sadly, we are all guilty sometimes of being too proud or reluctant to admit the limitation of our knowledge.This seems like the only logical way to explain the fallacy being spread in certain quarters on the proposed amendments to Article 10 of the constitution. The authors of confusion in this regard are suggesting that this change is designed to allow Bahamian women to instantaneously pass citizenship to their foreign spouses without any controls, checks and balances. In actuality what is being proposed is to grant Bahamian women the same rights as their male counterparts in relation to the acquisition of citizenship by their foreign spouses subject to paragraph two of the said article, which is aimed at preventing marriages of convenience. More specifically, Article 10 currently reads:"Any woman who, after July 9, 1973, marries a person who is or becomes a citizen of The Bahamas shall be entitled, provided she is still so married, upon making application in such manner as may be prescribed and upon taking the oath of allegiance of such declaration as may be prescribed, to be registered as a citizen of The Bahamas:"Provided that the right to be registered as a citizen of The Bahamas under this article shall be subject to such exceptions or qualifications as may be prescribed in the interests of national security of public policy."It is obvious that due process, including a formal application for consideration by the government, will still be required and the Cabinet's approval is subject to the conditions stipulated in the constitution.Paragraph two of Article 10 provides that a foreign party may be denied registration for citizenship if there is satisfactory evidence that the marriage no longer subsists, the marriage was entered into for the purpose of enabling the foreign partner to acquire Bahamian citizenship, the parties have no intentions of living together after the marriage or the foreign party was convicted in another country of an indictable criminal offense involving moral turpitude.This is only right to ensure that persons do not enter into the sacred institution of marriage for the wrong reasons and particularly just to obtain Bahamian citizenship. The weak and vulnerable vesselThe public discourse to date has also revealed the unfounded and insulting view of certain individuals among us that Bahamian women are not only emotionally vulnerable when compared to our male counterparts but also unwise and gullible, stopping short of expressly stating that we are stupid.These persons are seeking to perpetuate the myth that we - the women of this great country, are not only incapable of making our own decisions but are prone to making insensible choices particularly in the selection of our spouses. This is shameful, disappointing and unfortunate in a country that has relied on its strong women for every major feat in its history.The words of the late Dame Doris Johnson echo through time to the present in response to men who diminish the strength, fortitude and wisdom of the Bahamian woman.We are mothers of men. Several Bahamian men can attest to the fact they were nurtured and raised by their grandmothers, mothers or other mother figure. How could one question the endurance and might of the individuals that carry life for nine months and thrive in the midst of adversity? Do they consider these women, their mothers, wives and daughters as weak-minded?How does one define the working mothers and wives that help to keep the home together while contributing to the upkeep of the family? The only encouraging news here is that persons with such a mind-set appear to be in the minority and the prime minister has indicated that he does not have a similar view.o Arinthia S. Komolafe is an attorney-at-law. Comments on this article can be directed to a.s.komolafe510@gmail.com.

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