In the wake of Free National Movement (FNM) MP Richard Lightbourn's recent suggestion to sterilize unwed mothers with more than two children, two women's groups have called the suggestion "frighteningly reminiscent of the policies" used in during Jim Crow and apartheid

During the second night of the FNM's national convention on Thursday, the Montagu MP told a crowd of delegates The Bahamas should follow "the lead of several countries in the world which results in an unwed mother having her tubes tied after having more than two children which would in the end result in fewer children being born".

Citizens for Constitutional Equality (CCE) said Lightbourn's policy recommendation was similar to those used "against black South Africans under apartheid and African Americans in Mississippi and Alabama as recently as the 1960s".

They added that the Montagu MP's proposal displays "an utter lack of understanding and awareness" of the cause of pregnancy for many women in The Bahamas.

The organization noted that many women in the country become pregnant as a result of "coercion, rape, inclusive of martial rape, incest and other forms of violations for their human rights, such as poverty".

CCE said Lightbourn's comments not only proposed "state enforced violence against women," but also brought forth "the immensity of the failure to enshrine the principle of nondiscrimination on the basis of sex in our constitution".

"The failure of the gender equality referendum now puts all citizens at risk of these types of proposals from policy makers for state violations," CCE representative said.

"It is so unfortunate that we missed this opportunity to enshrine formal gender equality within our constitution.

The June 7 referendum to enshrine gender equality, including non-discrimination based on sex, in the constitution failed overwhelmingly.

Bahamas Women's Watch (BWW) also commented on the matter.

BWW called the Montagu MP's comments an "archaic, barbaric and dangerous" proposal which should "outrightly" be rejected by everyone.

BWW representatives also recommended that instead of attributing women as the reason for social ills in the country, Lightbourn should instead "consider the unequal power relations and the exploitation of women in the inner city and the fact that many women are left to raise children and care for children on their own".

"We need for all political parties to have a more progressive agenda on women's rights, dignity and autonomy," BWW said.

"We call on those who wish to be leaders in the movement, particularly female members of Parliament, to be committed and effective public advocates for shaping the policy agenda of their political parties and implementing programs that mainstream gender equality, women's empowerment, agency, voice and participation in public and private life."

Lightbourn apologized for his remarks yesterday.

By Jasper Ward

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