On 8th March, 2021, as Commonwealth countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Pacific and Europe observe Commonwealth Day, we are also called to honour and celebrate International Women’s Day.

This year’s Commonwealth theme will refocus on last year’s theme, namely, “Delivering a Common Future”. This year, we are to explore how the Commonwealth can address global challenges and work to create a better future for all citizens through the sub-themes of connecting, innovating and transforming. Given that it also is International Women’s Day, the Commonwealth is incorporating the theme of that day into its efforts to realising its goals.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is, “Choose to Challenge”. The call is, “we can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world”.

This past year has been a challenging one for everyone, on so many fronts. And as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, people worldwide have had to make adjustments in their everyday lives. With the new reality in which we now live, such as global travel restrictions, national lockdowns and the temporary interruption of in person meetings, people have had to find new ways to stay connected. With the help of the Internet and virtual calls, we are now able to celebrate in an innovative and transformative way the core values and principles that unite us and, in turn, facilitate for each of us the ability to tap into knowledge and skills for the continued development of our women, our youth in school, and our society at large.

In recognition of International Women’s Day, The Bahamas can celebrate numerous examples of women in leadership positions. These include, but are not limited to, the appointment of Mrs Patricia Minnis as Chair(2021) of the Spouses of CARICOM Leaders Association Network (SCLAN), Ms Marion Bethel serving a second term (2021-2024) as an expert on the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women(CEDAW), Ambassador Keva Bain as President of the 73rd Session of the World Health Assembly and ViceChair of the Human Rights Council (2021), Ambassador Maria O'Brien as Chair of the Caribbean Group (2018) of the-then African, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP) in Brussels and leading The Bahamas team during the negotiations towards the successor agreement to the Cotonou Agreement, Mrs Nicole Campbell as Secretary to the Cabinet and leader of the Bahamian Public Service, Ambassador Denise Lewis-Johnson as Chair of The Bahamas Maritime Authority and many other women in leading positions both in the public,private and civil society sectors. There is no question that The Bahamas is playing its part in the global arena and at home towards the advancement of women.

As we celebrate both Commonwealth Day and International Women’s Day, let us continue to promote positive changes in both gender equality with the goal of a common future.

Happy Commonwealth Day!

Happy International Women’s Day