Dear Editor,
After attending the recent symposium on September 15 held at Breezes in The Bahamas, to consult on the proposed amendments to the Sexual Offence Act to criminalize marital rape, I am still in disbelief of what was witnessed versus what was advertised as a consultation session.
It was more so an opinion showcase of religious leaders.
The time has come for the government to begin calling a spade a spade when it comes to honoring human rights in The Bahamas. For change to come about, we must push harder and work consistently to ensure that the rights of every human being are honored and respected.
It seems that the government was very selective with who they invited to the table for this “consultation”.
It was heartbreaking but mostly scary to see the many male figures and religious leaders present, but not enough other stakeholders that deal with the aftermath of such assaults.
During the symposium, after presentations from the minister and few doctors and experts, the direction of the morning shifted downhill, as thereafter, several of the presenters largely tried to drown the audience with scripture readings/teachings and a play on the word “rape”.
The word rape looks to have found itself amidst a taboo action in the marriage bed.
It is my hope that religious leaders of this country can open their eyes to what is in fact happening daily in some marriages. We simply cannot in the year 2022 say that rape does not exist between married individuals.
Women of Strength Association and the Everyone Counts organization believe it also imperative when religious leaders counsel assault victims and/or wives, that a seed of common sense and practicality is added to the equation, because lives are at stake.
Why are we so afraid to call rape, rape, even if it happens to a married individual? Who speaks for the victims? Who represents the spouses who have been assaulted?
Where are their voices in all of this? Aren’t they the biggest stakeholders?
The stakeholders must go further than doctors, lawyers, ministers, politicians, law enforcement, etc. These entities are crucial to the consideration process. However, they should not be the only and possible final voices consulted.
Given that additional “consultations” will happen, I encourage the government to consider extending an invitation to NGOs and the numerous women’s organizations and support groups that are in the field working hand-in-hand with the victims of such assaults.
I call on the community and other NGOs to join in and continue to advocate for human rights. Let’s not allow the government to become complacent.
Our leaders must be held accountable for doing everything necessary to protect the people in this country.
The government need not be vague in offering a timeline on when the law will be amended.
My brothers and sisters in The Bahamas, let’s not get weary in the fight advocating for those who can’t use their voices.
We must advocate to prevent, protect, preserve and end all forms of violence against women and children, as in recent years, statistics are showing an increase.
We must also advocate for swift justice, stiffer penalties, safe houses, sensitive trainings for those working the fields and, most importantly, follow up protocols.
We need the government to not only hear us but to listen and act accordingly.
I’m encouraged by the number of women’s support groups and women’s advocacy groups that are doing their part in standing up, speaking up for the rights of the people.
Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more.
Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.
Everyone Counts, which was founded in June 2012, is a humanitarian organization that creates outreach programs and community events to raise awareness of self-worth and human rights for men, women and children in The Bahamas.
Women of Strength Association is a support group and sisterhood network created to empower women to recognize their true self-worth, educate them on their human rights and elevate them by teaching effective and practical coping mechanisms to overcome trauma, depression, grief, dependence and overall challenges of life. Email: wosassociatione1c@gmail.com.
— Nyoka L Johnson
Founder and president of Women of Strength Association and the Everyone Counts