Members of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter (New Providence) and Pi Upsilon Omega Chapter (Grand Bahama) of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated gathered in the halls of parliament to participate in the annual AKA Day at the Capitol initiative under the theme "Women and Our Role in National Development & Progressive Legislation.
"AKA Day at the Capitol is an important opportunity for members of the sorority to actively engage in and enhance their knowledge of public policy issues that are pertinent to the Bahamian community as a whole.
This year the members of both chapters united to visit parliament to dialogue with current female parliamentarians, Sen. Hon. Allyson Maynard Gibson, Attorney General of The Bahamas; Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Transport and Aviation; Hon. CV Hope Strachan, Minister of State for Transport and Aviation; Sen. Hon. Cheryl Bazard; and Sen. Hon. Tanisha Tynes (1st Vice President of the Pi Upsilon Omega Chapter)
"The old adage 'The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world' holds even more truth today than ever before. The plight of women, who are the cradle rockers, should not and cannot be pushed aside and placed on the back burner. This is why we are here today; to identify what we need to do to move forward and to help address and alleviate the social ills, economic inequalities, discrimination and other issues facing all Bahamians especially women and girls," expressed President of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter, Ms. Alana Ingraham as she opened the morning session of the day's activities. During this time, the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority discussed various topics of concern with the respective ministers and senators and proposed ideas for national programs and legislation. Some of the topics discussed were access to health care, rights of women, the constitutional referendum to address the discrimination against women, the Disabilities Act, violence against women (domestic violence, sexual harassment, rape and other violent acts), children aging out of foster care and human trafficking. As the budget debates were concluding, members also discussed the financial support to such initiatives, with a focus on domestic violence shelters, social programs, the Willimae Pratt Center and the need for more inclusion of non-governmental organizations.
The parliamentarians commended both chapters on their efforts over the years to address issues facing women and girls, their role in the recent Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Special Call meeting and mentorship efforts with the Emerging Young Leaders, 20 Pearls and G.E.M.S programs that have positively impacted our communities for years.
The day's festivities concluded with the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha sitting in the gallery of the House of Assembly to observe the session.
