BAHAMAS: Ministry of Social Services Gears Up for Women’s Week, Men’s Day, and Rehabilitation Week

#Nassau, November 15, 2018 – Bahamas – National Women’s Week will begin on Sunday, 25^th November at the 11:00 a.m. Service of Bahamas Harvest Church located on JFK Drive.  Under the theme “Strengthening Partnerships for the Empowerment of Women” two key events will be held including a ‘Women In Politics’ Conclave on 28^th November and a Women Empowerment NGO Expo on 30^th November 2018.

On 21^st November 2018 members of Zonta Bahamas along with other NGOs will visit the House of Assembly and other government and private agencies to share gifts of orange ribbons as a reminder to end violence against women.

Men to be Highlighted During International Men’s Day

On 19^th November 2018, The Bahamas will join over 70 countries around the world in observing International Men’s Day. This commemoration will be the first celebration. On that same day, a special forum for men will be held at Ministry of Social Services on JFK Drive from 10am to 1pm under the theme: “Promoting Positive Male Role Models”.

According to the 2018 World Population Census, the estimated population of men in the world is almost four billion — 3,861,543,320 — fifty percent of the population.

Men make up 52 percent of all workplaces.  Men also head 34 percent of homes worldwide.

Rehabilitation Week

Over the years, the Department of Rehabilitative Welfare Services holds an annual week of activities to sensitize the public on the services offered. This year’s theme is “Rehabilitation begins and ends with me”.

The Department of Rehabilitative Welfare/Services, which is known to many as the Probation Department, has remained true to its Vision and Mission, which is to provide quality rehabilitative services for offenders through various programs.  The participants of the two focus groups of the Department of Rehab, are our At-Risk Youth who receive preventive treatment for the issues they face.  The other focuses on the rehabilitation of adults.

Various activities have been planned to highlight the services of the Department.  They include:

1. Radio and television appearances to sensitize the community on the services offered and the role the Department plays in rehabilitation;
2. A church service at St. Matthews Anglican Church which was held Monday, 12^thNovember, 2018;
3. A Juvenile Forum on Bullying, Cyber Bullying, and Understanding your Emotions on Tuesday, 13^thNovember, 2018 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Department of Physical Planning’s Hearing Room, Aventura Plaza, JFK Drive and Bethel Avenue;
4. A Parenting Forum on “How to Co-Parent Effectively” on Tuesday, November 13^th, 2018 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at the Physical Planning Hearing Room, Aventura Plaza, JFK Drive and Bethel Ave.;
5. Juvenile Court Panelists Training on Friday, 23^rdNovember 2018 at 10:00 am.
6. An in-house Staff Motivational Seminar that will be held at the end of the week of activities.

Activities planned for Grand Bahama include:

1. A seminar under the sub-theme “Born to Win”, which will target at-risk male students from junior and senior public schools, to teach them positive coping skills.Topics will include, “Winning at Emotional Stability” and “Winning at Self-Control”. 
2. On 16^thNovember 2018 there will be a Mental Health Forum that will bring mental health professionals from various disciplines together to discuss concerns that the youth face. There is a growing population within youth groups who are emotionally and mentally fragile. Therefore, causing the department and its partners from the Ministry of Health to focus on those issues.
3. A Staff Retreat has been scheduled to take place at the end of all the activities.

By Betty Vedrine

Release: BIS

Photo Caption: Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie Campbell, speaking during a press conference held at the Hearing Room of the Department of Physical Planning on Monday, 12th November 2018.  The Minister was in attendance to announce the observance of three upcoming events sponsored by the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development. The events are: Rehabilitation week, scheduled for week of November 12; International Men’s day, scheduled for November 19; and National Women’s Week scheduled for the week of November 25.

(BIS Photos/Derek Smith)