Amidst a national debate on domestic violence women, the world over celebrated International Women’s Day and a local forum held to recognise the event, Minister of Social Services Melanie Griffin said investing should be a priority for all countries.

The forum’s theme was “Equality for Women, Progress for All.”

Minister Griffin said the investments any country makes in its female population has a multiplier effect on the well being of families, development of communities and sustained economic growth of the nation.

She added that advocating for women’s equality and empowerment and removing barriers or at least closing the gaps that impeded women’s advancement can certainly lead to progress for all.

Sharing similar sentiments was Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin who said although much progress has been made, women still face discrimination and for that reason the fight must continue.

“As the late Nelson Mandela once said, ‘There is no easy walk to freedom’ and while we work every day to seek to level the playing field and to create a more conducive environment to facilitate the participation of women, we are still in the phase of breaking down barriers, changing mindsets and it will not always be easy but you got to come forward,” she added.

The public forum was held on Friday at St. Joseph’s Church Hall.

Women from all walks of society, including female students from various high schools had an opportunity to gain inspiration and offer questions to women who are leaders in various capacities in the country.
International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 annually around the world and The Bahamas first commemorated the day in 1982.

The primary focus is on encouraging more women to move into senior leadership roles, field of science, engineering and other technologies to promote women owned businesses and women’s equality.

The Ministry of Social Services and the Bureau of Women’s Affairs hosted the forum.

The Bureau was first established in 1981 and is responsible for encouraging gender equality and women’s empowerment throughout the country.