The Tribune

CITIZENS for Constitutional Equality yesterday issued a call to action for civic organisations to declare their stance on the proposed constitutional referendum on gender equality.

In a statement, Citizens for Constitutional Equality (CCE) underscored the importance of a non-partisan collective approach to raise awareness of the critical vote.

The group warned that silence on the issue would allow partisan politics, bigotry and prejudice to overshadow the fundamental right of an equal society.

“Now is not the time to be silent or to stand on the sidelines. It is the time to be engaged in nation building on the national level,” CCE’s statement said.

“While there will be political forces that inevitably seek to advance partisan political agendas, we call on the ordinary citizens of the Bahamas to rise above partisanship and fulfil our obligations as citizens.

“We have the power to shape the type of society we want.”

The House of Assembly passed the bills last week. They now move on to the Senate for a vote.

Bill one would give Bahamian women who are married to foreign men the right to pass on their Bahamian citizenship to any child of that union no matter where that child is born.

Bill two would allow a Bahamian woman married to a foreign man the right to secure for her husband the same access to Bahamian citizenship as a Bahamian male has in relation to his foreign wife.

Bill three would grant any unmarried Bahamian man the right to pass on his Bahamian citizenship to any child he fathers with a foreign woman with proof of paternity.

Bill four, regarded as the most controversial, seeks to prevent discrimination of any type based on sex - or being male or female. Some critics believe this will lead to gay marriage, even though the government has said this concern is unwarranted.

The CCE statement read: “Gender equality is an issue of fundamental importance to the development of the nation and should be as mainstream as racial equality or economic justice. It should be a core value embraced by all Bahamians, needing no justification or explanation.

“Sadly there is still widespread ignorance on the issue; and on a daily basis, those who have outright prejudices against women and vulnerable groups like the LGBTI community feed the public a steady diet of misinformation and negativity.”

National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage has said the referendum will be held by July.