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Women’s symposium kicks off major four-day focus on equality for women under the law/access to justice

Mon, Mar 2nd 2026, 11:06 AM
Caribbean News

The Government remains resolute in its commitment to modernize policies, strengthen support services, expand public education, and foster those strategic partnerships that will ensure equality for women under the law, while further ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, the Hon. Myles K. LaRoda, said Friday.

Minister LaRoda was addressing the Opening Session of the Second Annual National Women’s Empowerment Symposium held at Bahamas Harvest Church.  Friday’s opening symposium signaled the launch of a major four-day focus on equality for women under the law and access to justice, and is a collaboration between the Ministry, the National Women’s Advisory Council (NWAC), and the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting.

Friday’s opening session was also addressed by Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training, the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, and Mrs. Marion Bethel, Commissioner of the Inter-American Human Rights Commission of the Organization of American States.

Minister LaRoda said ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls is not just symbolic language, but a measure of national progress.

“It reflects the strength of our institutions, the fairness of our systems, and the seriousness of our commitment to equality under the law,” Minister LaRoda told his audience.

“For women and girls, access to justice means protection from violence and exploitation. It means fair recourse when rights are violated. It means equal opportunity in employment, education, leadership, and economic participation. It means confidence that institutions will respond -- not merely react -- and that they will do so with integrity and accountability.

“Justice,” Mr. LaRoda continued, “must not be delayed, diluted, or denied.  It must be accessible, efficient, transparent, and unwavering. We will create spaces like this symposium not only to educate and empower -- but to listen and act.

“As a Government, we remain resolute in our commitment. We will continue to modernize policies, strengthen support services, expand public education, and foster strategic partnerships. We will create spaces like this symposium not only to educate and empower, but to listen and act.”

Minister LaRoda said a society cannot prosper if women and girls remain vulnerable within the very systems designed to protect them.

“That is why this symposium matters. This year’s focus – ‘Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls' -- is deliberate, strategic, and necessary. Today we gather not only to discuss justice, but to strengthen it. We gather not only to empower women, but to equip them because when women and girls are protected, prepared, and positioned to succeed, the entire nation advances.”

The Social Services Minister said The Bahamas is party to key regional and international human rights instruments, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women, which, along with a domestic commitment to safeguarding women and girls, “require action.”

He underscored some of those actions already undertaken on the domestic front.

“Through legislative reform such as the Protection Against Violence Act 2023, we have strengthened protections for survivors, expanded access to protective orders, reinforced accountability measures, and embedded human rights principles into our national response framework. This Act reflects alignment between our international obligations and our domestic commitment to safeguarding women and girls.

“The Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting remains steadfast in ensuring that our national frameworks continue to evolve -- strengthening protections, expanding support services, and improving access to justice across our archipelago.

“Our broader theme, ‘Give to Gain: Equipping Women for Success in 2026 and Beyond,’ moves this conversation from principle to preparation. It recognizes that justice is not only about legislation. It is about leadership development, economic empowerment, parenting support, mental health awareness, and strategic positioning for the future.”

“Dynamic” panel discussions, practical workshops, access to key service providers, discussions on legal rights and protections, pathways to justice, financial literacy and economic advancement, mental wellness, parenting support, and opportunities for leadership, professional and spiritual growth, and a church service are among the activities planned over the four days.

Government agencies, community partners, and advocacy organizations will be present to provide information, guidance, and direct engagement in what officials say will be an opportunity not only to learn, but to connect -- not only to be informed, but to be equipped.

The four days will conclude with an Award Ceremony at Government House (Tuesday, March 3) honouring Women in Law and Order.

The Government remains resolute in its commitment to modernize policies, strengthen support services, expand public education, and foster those strategic partnerships that will ensure equality for women under the law, while further ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, the Hon. Myles K. LaRoda, said Friday.
Minister LaRoda was addressing the Opening Session of the Second Annual National Women’s Empowerment Symposium held at Bahamas Harvest Church.  Friday’s opening symposium signaled the launch of a major four-day focus on equality for women under the law and access to justice, and is a collaboration between the Ministry, the National Women’s Advisory Council (NWAC), and the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting.
Friday’s opening session was also addressed by Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training, the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, and Mrs. Marion Bethel, Commissioner of the Inter-American Human Rights Commission of the Organization of American States.
Minister LaRoda said ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls is not just symbolic language, but a measure of national progress.
“It reflects the strength of our institutions, the fairness of our systems, and the seriousness of our commitment to equality under the law,” Minister LaRoda told his audience.
“For women and girls, access to justice means protection from violence and exploitation. It means fair recourse when rights are violated. It means equal opportunity in employment, education, leadership, and economic participation. It means confidence that institutions will respond -- not merely react -- and that they will do so with integrity and accountability.
“Justice,” Mr. LaRoda continued, “must not be delayed, diluted, or denied.  It must be accessible, efficient, transparent, and unwavering. We will create spaces like this symposium not only to educate and empower -- but to listen and act.
“As a Government, we remain resolute in our commitment. We will continue to modernize policies, strengthen support services, expand public education, and foster strategic partnerships. We will create spaces like this symposium not only to educate and empower, but to listen and act.”
Minister LaRoda said a society cannot prosper if women and girls remain vulnerable within the very systems designed to protect them.
“That is why this symposium matters. This year’s focus – ‘Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls' -- is deliberate, strategic, and necessary. Today we gather not only to discuss justice, but to strengthen it. We gather not only to empower women, but to equip them because when women and girls are protected, prepared, and positioned to succeed, the entire nation advances.”
The Social Services Minister said The Bahamas is party to key regional and international human rights instruments, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women, which, along with a domestic commitment to safeguarding women and girls, “require action.”
He underscored some of those actions already undertaken on the domestic front.
“Through legislative reform such as the Protection Against Violence Act 2023, we have strengthened protections for survivors, expanded access to protective orders, reinforced accountability measures, and embedded human rights principles into our national response framework. This Act reflects alignment between our international obligations and our domestic commitment to safeguarding women and girls.
“The Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting remains steadfast in ensuring that our national frameworks continue to evolve -- strengthening protections, expanding support services, and improving access to justice across our archipelago.
“Our broader theme, ‘Give to Gain: Equipping Women for Success in 2026 and Beyond,’ moves this conversation from principle to preparation. It recognizes that justice is not only about legislation. It is about leadership development, economic empowerment, parenting support, mental health awareness, and strategic positioning for the future.”
“Dynamic” panel discussions, practical workshops, access to key service providers, discussions on legal rights and protections, pathways to justice, financial literacy and economic advancement, mental wellness, parenting support, and opportunities for leadership, professional and spiritual growth, and a church service are among the activities planned over the four days.
Government agencies, community partners, and advocacy organizations will be present to provide information, guidance, and direct engagement in what officials say will be an opportunity not only to learn, but to connect -- not only to be informed, but to be equipped.
The four days will conclude with an Award Ceremony at Government House (Tuesday, March 3) honouring Women in Law and Order.
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