The UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its Causes and Consequences recently completed her official visit to the Bahamas, urging the country to “adopt a comprehensive law on violence against women and domestic violence and to close other legal gaps” that leave women and girls vulnerable to violence and discrimination. She also recommended that the Bahamas update its constitution to “enshrine” the principle of gender equality in Bahamian law and that the country align its legislation with international and regional standards on ending discrimination and violence against women. She noted the lack of shelters and other services for survivors of violence, as well as the judicial backlog of cases involving violence against women.
The Special Rapporteur’s full statement on her visit to the Bahamas is available on the website of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. She expects to present her full report to the UN Human Rights Council in June of 2018.
Compiled from: The Bahamas: UN Special Rapporteur calls for fresh steps to tackle violence against women, UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (December 20, 2017).