News
US Group and UN Women to fight gender issues in the Caribbean
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
July 17, 2023 – US-based Atlantic Council revealed that its Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center (AALAC), is now in collaboration with the UN Women Multi-Country Office in the Caribbean to fight gender based issues in the region.
Valentina Sader, AALAC associate director and leader of the center’s gender-related work, highlighted the gender issues and their effect on women and girls.
“Women and girls in the Caribbean face unique challenges that prevent them from reaching equal footing in Society. These include lack of access to critical resources to rebuild after natural disasters and barriers to political representation,” she said.
She also spoke of statistics that indicate the number of women who hold appointed and or elected positions, showing they are less than they should be, representing less than half of all political offices throughout the Caribbean, highlighting the need for a more gender equal society.
Additionally, she also referred to studies showing that 46 percent of women in the Caribbean experience violence at least once in their lifetime.
Considering this, the partnership will focus on gender equity and security in the Caribbean particularly in Jamaica and Guyana.
Sader expressed that AALAC will leverage its global and regional connections as well as it “uniquely-positioned” Caribbean Initiative, (which began programming in February of 2021), to bring about more awareness and encourage dialogue regarding the issues women and girls face throughout the region.
The Caribbean Initiative is aimed to “to raise awareness about key Caribbean Community (CARICOM) priorities with US and global stakeholders while deepening US engagement with the region around shared interests,” according to the Atlantic Council.
Sader added that the project will explore peace, security, and gender-based violence; democracy and political representation; economic recovery and empowerment; and climate financing.
In continuation, according to the Atlantic Council, AALAC will work with UN Women to have talks and consultations with regional individuals and organisations, multilateral groups, private sector representatives and financial institutions.
The focus will be to better understand social norms connected to gender in the region, build momentum, and secure buy-in from relevant stakeholders across sectors and regions, as well as produce concrete policy recommendations with a gender-based approach for the region.
The Atlantic Council expressed that AALAC “broadens understanding of regional transformations, while demonstrating why Latin America and the Caribbean matter for the world.”
Additionally, Tonni Brodber, UN Women Multi-Country Office – Caribbean Representative, is hopeful for the success of the project.
“In the same way that the Atlantic Council has been able to strengthen relationships between civil society organisations and policymakers in the United States and across Latin America, I feel confident that the Caribbean will greatly benefit from this proven capacity,” she maintained.
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE GRAND BAHAMA PORT AUTHORITY, LIMITED
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 – Grand Bahama, The Bahamas – The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) is proud to announce the launch of Tech Edge 2.0, a paid remote internship program, connecting eligible Bahamian candidates—both locally and abroad—with global career-building opportunities in the fields of cybersecurity, mobile app development, data science, and artificial intelligence (AI). According to GBPA exe
cutives, this initiative is a significant step in positioning Grand Bahama as a leader in the digital economy while providing Bahamians with valuable experience in high-demand tech fields.
“Tech Edge 2.0 is more than an internship program—it is a pipeline to professional success”, commented Derek Newbold, Chief Investment Officer for GBPA and Invest Grand Bahama. “With nearly 200 Bahamians already registered, including Bahamians residing in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., and across the islands of The Bahamas, this program is bridging the gap between education and employment, equipping participants with job-ready skills and fostering a new generation of innovators ready to contribute to the advancement of technology and innovation in The Bahamas.” Currently, there are 10 internship placements available, with additional spaces being added as more companies join the program. GBPA, through its Tech Edge 2.0 program, has partnered with four leading international technology firms, including Prophaze (California, USA), Cognetik Labs, Cybermindr, and Digital5 Solutions, to provide paid remote internship training and employment opportunities. All are start-up companies and emerging titans across cybersecurity, API security, and AI-driven threat detection fields. They also cover software development, IT infrastructure, and cloud computing.
Pleased with the evolution of the Tech Edge Program, which initially launched in 2023, President of GBPA, Ian Rolle, noted that he is highly optimistic about the program’s success to date and its proven potential to help drive Grand Bahama as the Tech and Innovation Hub of the nation. “These partnerships are unlocking global opportunities for Bahamians and proving that Grand Bahama is serious about technology. Further, it offers Bahamians direct access to the international job market—without having to leave home.” Rolle stated. “This program is about ensuring that our people are equipped with top-tier training to develop the requisite skills and career pathways to thrive in the digital economy,” Rolle continued.
The Tech Edge 2.0 Internship Program is open to eligible Bahamians worldwide who hold a college degree or are currently pursuing one in a technology-related field, have a strong interest in cybersecurity, AI, mobile app development, data science, or IT infrastructure, and are eager to gain real-world experience and work remotely with cutting-edge tech companies.
Ian Rolle
Applications for Tech Edge 2.0 are now open and will close on March 21, 2025. Interested candidates can apply online at www.techedgebahamas.com, where they will find step-by-step guidance on the application process. GBPA’s project coordinator for Tech Edge 2.0, Jecholiah Braynen, described the initiative as a long-term investment in The Bahamas’ tech workforce and economic growth. “Through our partnership with Quess Corp, a multinational business service provider, based in India, GBPA is building the requisite skills within the Bahamian workforce and equipping them with job-ready skills and experience. This program creates opportunities to drive economic growth, establish new career opportunities, and attract tech companies to the Bahamas by creating a sustainable ecosystem where Bahamians can thrive in the tech industry,” she emphasized. “This is just the beginning. As Tech Edge grows, so will the number of available opportunities.”
Bahamians interested in expanding their career opportunities are encouraged to apply today and become part of The Bahamas’ digital transformation.
For more information, visit www.techedgebahamas.com for updates, success stories, and insights into the tech industry.
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