The Tribune

By CARA HUNT

Tribune Features Writer

cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

Newly-appointed Minister of Social Services and Principal Delegate for The Bahamas, Barbara Cartwright, highlighted the country’s progress in advancing women’s economic empowerment during the 40th Assembly of Delegates of the OAS Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM).

Ms Cartwright spoke at Dialogue I, Women’s Labour Inclusion and Entrepreneurship. She was joined by delegates from across the Americas in examining policies and strategies designed to strengthen women’s participation in the workforce and expand opportunities for entrepreneurship and economic independence.

“The Bahamas has made significant progress in advancing women’s labour inclusion and entrepreneurship through a combination of legislative protections, public policy initiatives, institutional support, and strategic partnerships with regional and international organisations,” Ms Cartwright told delegates.

She noted that national efforts have focused on improving women’s access to employment, entrepreneurship opportunities, financing, leadership development, and business training, while emphasising the growing importance of work-life balance policies, digital inclusion, financial literacy, and skills development as key drivers of economic empowerment.

She noted that the Bahamas has made notable achievements in this regard, highlighting the work of the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) Bahamas, which has provided women entrepreneurs with access to grant funding, mentorship, entrepreneurial training, and digital skills development.

More than $30 million has been awarded to women entrepreneurs through SBDC programmes since its launch, while more than 1,200 women-owned businesses have accessed funding support.

Ms Cartwright also underscored the importance of international and regional cooperation in advancing women’s entrepreneurship. She noted that The Bahamas continues to collaborate with organisations including UN Women, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and the Joint SDG Fund to strengthen opportunities for women throughout the country.

She further highlighted initiatives such as the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) and Beyond Borders: Women Without Limits, which have provided women with mentorship opportunities, business support, and regional networking platforms.

Ms Cartwright said that there is a need to pair access to financing with mentorship, technical support, and digital skills training. She also emphasised the importance of resilience-focused entrepreneurship policies for Small Island Developing States, greater digital inclusion, and stronger collaboration among governments, international organisations, civil society, and the private sector.

While acknowledging the significant gains achieved, she told delegates that opportunities remain to expand women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, increase access to venture financing and export markets, strengthen gender-disaggregate data collection, and improve digital and financial inclusion, particularly for women in rural and Family Island communities.

She reaffirmed The Bahamas’ commitment to working with regional and international partners to advance women’s economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and labour inclusion throughout the Americas.

Mrs Cartwright led the Bahamian delegation at the Assembly, held in Washington, DC. The delegation also included Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Services, Phedra Rahming-Turnquest and Director of the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Sharmie Farrington.

The event was held under the theme “The Economic Rights of Women in the Americas: Policies and Strategies to Guarantee Autonomy and Bargaining Power.”

The assembly is the highest decision-making body of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), a specialised organisation of the Organisation of American States (OAS) dedicated to advancing women’s rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women throughout the hemisphere.