Minister Campbell addresses Round Table on Good Practices and Policies

Wed, Mar 13th 2019, 03:36 PM

The Government of The Bahamas believes that good practices and policies are those that are consistent, innovative and comprehensive, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell said on Monday, March 11, 2019.

Addressing a Ministerial Round Table on “Good practices and policies for the design, provision and implementation of social protection systems, public services and sustainable infrastructure including for the promotion of women’s representation in various sectors and all levels,” Minister Campbell outlined a number of initiatives the Government of The Bahamas has undertaken through his ministry and its many Departments and Divisions, and in collaboration with the country’s many non-governmental organizations, to meet objectives.

“We are satisfied that good practices and policies are those that are consistent and so our efforts are, and have been geared towards ensuring that there are long term implementation plans and benefits,” Minister Campbell said.

“We also believe that good practices are those that are innovative. Those that will cause and allow us to think out of the box in terms of funding which is usually an impediment to women and girls, particularly those in the more rural areas, to become empowered and to be able to live out their dreams per se.

“Additionally, good practices and policies have to be comprehensive in nature and in order for them to be comprehensive, we must hear from our stakeholders and so we have gone out and have held various discussions and consultations with our stakeholders and non-governmental organizations to ensure that as many voices come to the fore to ensure that we can implement as comprehensive a programme as possible.”

Minister Campbell said officials at the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development have been working diligently to expand public/private partnerships while closely working with the country’s non-governmental organizations – quite a number of whom are included in The Bahamas’ delegation to the Sixty-Third Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63).

“We have nurtured those partnerships to the extent that we are now working towards having the various groups focus on a particular subject matter to avoid duplication of efforts,” Minister Campbell said.

“We realize that there must be inclusion. There are many minority groups that for a very long time, have not had a voice and so we seek, through our NGOs that we have partnered with – and whom we have given some financial assistance to albeit limited based on resources, but to show the commitment - to ensure that they are able to cause those voices that are not ordinarily heard, to have an opportunity to be heard.

“We also realize that best practices must be connected to Development Goals both locally, regionally and internationally. Goals that are led by the Government and so as the Minister, I have sought to act as that liaison between my NGOs, my Department (Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development) and the Cabinet of The Bahamas, to ensure that as we plan, there is consideration - particularly for the financial needs - so that these goals can be met.

“The best practices are those practices that are shared. Anything that is kept to oneself, is not so good because only you know about it and so we are currently engaged in the dissemination of information and are about to launch a series of public service announcement so that persons will know what is available and how they can be accessed,” Minister Campbell added.

Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell meets with officials from the National Women’s Advisory Council prior to the start of the Ministers Round Table held on Monday (March 11, 2019) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Pictured (at left) is: Coralie Adderley, NWAC President and J. Denise Lewis-Johnson, NWAC Member. (BIS Photo/Matt Maura) 

Seventy Representatives from 35 non-governmental organizations in The Bahamas are in New York attending the Sixty-Third Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63) being held at the United Nations Headquarters. Some of the Representatives, pictured above during a group shot with Minister of Social Services and Urban development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell, have been busy participating in a series of Side Events since the start of CSW63 Monday. (BIS Photo/Matt Maura) 

By: Matt Maura

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