The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

This week, House Members are scheduled to vote on the four gender equality Bills.

The anomaly in the Constitution that provides for the discrimination against females in terms of citizenship rights has created deep pain and disruption in too many Bahamian families.

This discriminatory element was used as a cruel instrument of victimisation in the past.

I sincerely hope the debate will be non-partisan and the gender issue will not be used as a political football again.

When the vote is taken in the House, the Speaker should call for the roll so the public will know how Members voted on each Bill.

Next year when the incumbents knock on our doors asking for our support, our families would like to know if they voted that women, who also vote, are equal to men.

Our families would like to know which Members of Parliament agree that wives and daughters should have the same citizenship rights as our dear husbands and sons.

Let history record who voted for or against a simple request - to allow Bahamian women first class status in their own country.

ATHENA DAMIANOS

Nassau,

February 28, 2016.