Thank you distinguished committee members. I have four areas to bring to your attention:

First: We have had two gender equality referenda over the past 16 years. Both attempts, undertaken by separate governing parties resulted in massive defeats. Many of the reasons why are outlined in our shadow report, but I want to highlight that every effort has been derailed by corrosive, opportunistic, partisan politics. In other words, the political process itself has become a barrier to the advancement of women. These failures do not preclude the State from fulfilling its responsibilities. Articles 2 and 9 are central to the object and purpose of the Convention and the State should continue to earnestly advance efforts to withdraw its reservation to these Articles.

We urge the State to create a transformative and inclusive bi-partisan solution to minimize if not eliminate the forces of partisan politics that continuously undermine the advancement of women constitutional equality and equal nationality rights.

Second: It is worth noting that structural and capacity gaps have crippled the National Machinery for women’s advancement. There has been instability in leadership and a lack of continuity in the work. This prevents substantive progress from advancing on too many issues. Countless reports, plans, policies and programmes have limped along feebly, including the National Gender Policy, the Strategic Plan to Address Gender Based Violence, and the innovative RISE Programme. The Committee may have already noted: The State was unable to report substantive progress on these urgent matters. We cannot be satisfied with cosmetic or superficial actions, no matter how well intentioned.

Without an honest assessment by the State of its weaknesses, including the need for institutional strengthening, research and data collection, and gender mainstreaming within the National Machinery itself, women will continue to be shortchanged in areas of critical importance.

Third: As it relates to Gender Based Violence, fortunately, we do not have to reinvent the wheel. The Strategic Plan is a landmark document that comprehensively addresses awareness, prevention and intervention. With a centralized Gender Based Violence Authority at the heart of the plan, it takes a multi-sectoral approach; it considers the social and economic development, health, national security and human rights implications of Gender Based Violence. UN Women said the Strategic Plan could be a model for the Caribbean.

There is no justification for the State’s delay in implementing the plan. It is of national significance and demands support beyond the National Machinery, especially given its current weakened position. We call on the State to urgently recognize this gap and explore, in consultation with civil society, the best way to adequately resource and support the Strategic Plan’s implementation without delay.

Fourth: We call on the State to take deliberate action to foster an enabling environment for civil society to participate in oversight, project-level partnerships, advocacy and policy development on gender related matters. That means having a respect for the independence and contributions of civil society, particularly women’s human rights defenders.

This is most important because women’s human rights defenders face threats, intimidation, verbal attacks and degrading treatment that is often unchallenged by the State and other allies. There is a fear that public participation will put one’s safety and job security at risk. This is a major disincentive for women to step into leadership roles and become public figures in the movement at a critical time when we need to inspire a new wave of leadership, including a wider diversity of women.

We are also concerned about the use of State resources as a tool to suppress independent expert voices and to stifle public critique from those who are dependent on State resources. Clear policies are needed to prevent the abuse of this dependence as it undermines the accountability framework and the advancement of women. I don’t have time to speak about ethnic minorities, but I look forward to speaking about this in our follow-up.

I thank you for your time.

Oral Statement
The Bahamas Crisis Centre Authored and Delivered by Noelle Nicolls, Volunteer, Gender Equality Advocate