Reports of sexual violence against women and girls in recent weeks have, again, raised concern about the safety of women and girls in The Bahamas. Every day, women and girls are preyed upon by rapists who seek to exercise power over them. The short-lived commentary on the lifelong experiences of women and girls, in constant fear of rape and rapists, is insufficient.

The Department of Gender and Family Affairs fails to function as the national gender machinery. It is not a catalyst for gender mainstreaming, not influencing legislative reform or policy development, and does not engage the media to challenge harmful gender ideology. Instead, it consistently and directly engages with at least one anti-women and anti-human rights actor, revealing its non-commitment to gender equality.

In the absence of a national gender machinery, The Bahamas is especially and specifically dependent on other government entities to center women and girls and to prevent and respond to the violence of men and boys. “News reports reveal abuse of familiarity by men and practices of taking advantage of the vulnerability of women, including the need for a ride home. We, clearly, cannot afford to trust the men around us,” said Equality Bahamas Director Alicia Wallace. She added, “The government is uninterested in transforming the public transportation system, yet there is a clear need for affordable, reliable transportation and other emergency and on-demand services. Reliance on acquaintances is proving dangerous.”

Given the pervasiveness of sexual predation, it is irresponsible for the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology to refuse to develop and deliver comprehensive sexuality education curricula in all schools and at all grade levels. All children need to be taught that their bodies are their own, that there are predatory people, that they have the right to say no, and that they can report (attempted) violations to trusted adults. All children need to be taught about consent and, critically, the difference between sex and rape. All children need to be able to identify people they can trust to listen to them, believe them, and assist them in making formal reports against (potential) predators.

“The Government of The Bahamas is obligated to protect, promote, and expand our access to human rights. It is well aware of its obligations, and this is evidenced by its participation in international human rights mechanisms including CEDAW, the bill of women’s rights,” said

Equality Bahamas Director Alicia Wallace. “They pretend, in their reporting to international bodies, to be committed to taking action, but we experience their blatant disregard here.”

Sexual predators benefit from the continued refusal to educate children on sex and sexuality, ensuring that they understand their bodies, consent, pleasure, the difference between sex and rape, contraceptive options, health services, and the law. Comprehensive sexuality education is critical to reducing sexual violence. Equality Bahamas reiterates its call on the government to develop comprehensive sexuality education for all ages, immediately integrating it into the national curriculum.

Equality Bahamas calls for the Gender-Based Violence Bill to be appropriately updated and passed, for the criminalization of marital rape, and the establishment of a national human rights institution. Knowledge of rights and access to resources and services are integral to the enjoyment of human rights. The government must concern itself with the safety and wellbeing of women and children and end its complicity in rape and other forms of sexual violence.