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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Minister of Social Services and Community Development the Hon. Melanie Griffin (seated centre) announces activities for the 2015 National Women’s Week during a press conference at her office, Thursday, November 19, 2015. Also pictured seated are: Acting Permanent Secretary, Alan Strachan and Co-Chair, National Women’s Advisory Council, Marisa Mason-Smith. Standing behind are organisers and supporters of the week of activities. (BIS Photo/Kemuel Stubbs)
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NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Minister of Social Services and Community Development the Hon. Melanie Griffin announced that the theme for this year’s National Women’s Week is “Women and the Environment: Creating Partnerships for Sustainable Development.”
During a press conference at her office on Thursday, November 19, Minister Griffin said, “This is a very timely topic, as countries around the world, including The Bahamas, are focusing on the issues of climate change, conservation and other environmental factors that can adversely affect sustainability for present and future generations.
“It is no secret that how we treat the environment today, will determine the quality of life we will experience tomorrow. Therefore, we all have an important role to play in strengthening and nurturing efforts to maintain a healthy environment.”
National Women’s Week, which is organised each year by the Bureau of Women’s Affairs, will be observed from Sunday, November 22 to Saturday, November 28, 2015.
The Minister explained that during the week, focus will be given to the roles that women play in managing various aspects of the environment, including agriculture, and women whose careers are centred in or around the environment will be highlighted.
“We will pre-launch the week with the opening of our Exhibition on the environment in the foyer of the Ministry of Education Headquarters, Thompson Boulevard.”
To officially launch the week, women and the general public are invited to worship at St. Mark’s Native Baptist Church, located on Romer Street in Fox Hill, Sunday, November 22, at 11:00a.m.
On Monday, November 23, a Panel Discussion on Women and the Environment will be held at the Hearing Room, Department of Physical Planning, John F. Kennedy Drive and Bethel Avenue. Panelists include: representatives from the Bahamas National Trust, The Bahamas Reef, Environment and Educational Foundation and The College of The Bahamas.
On Tuesday, November 24, a Webinar on “Adaptation to Climate Change” will be held from 1:30p.m. to 2:30p.m.
Minister Griffin also noted that two special observances also fall within National Women’s Week. The first is the International Day to end violence against Women on Wednesday, November 25. “This United Nations’ observance is an occasion for governments, international organisations and non-governmental organisations to raise public awareness of the prevalence of violence against women and take measures to address this violence. We encourage the public to support this initiative by wearing something orange on that day.”
The Minister said in commemoration of the International Day to end Violence against Women, a special forum is planned focusing on “Support Systems for Victims of Violence,” to be held in the Hearing Room, Department of Physical Planning, John F. Kennedy Drive and Bethel Avenue.
To commemorate the day (November 26, 1962) when women in The Bahamas voted for the first time, Minister Griffin said a screening of the video documentary, “Womanish Ways, Freedom, Human Rights and Democracy” by Marion Bethel will be held in the Hearing Room.
Other events organised for the week also include a Backyard Farming Workshop for women in Exuma that is being organised by the Bureau of Women’s Affairs, the Inter-American Institute of Cooperation on Agriculture, and the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Cooperation; there will also be a Women’s Symposium planned to address the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The public is invited to attend all of the events.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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