Bahamas News
LaRoda makes clarion call for end to all violence as country prepares to observe 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
From: Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas – Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, the Hon. Myles K. LaRoda, Thursday made a “clarion call” for an end to all violence in-country, but in particular, violence against women and girls.
The call came in the aftermath of the discovery of the remains of a 12-year-old missing school girl (Wednesday, November 20) in bushes near Faith Avenue South, and as the Ministry, its Department of Gender and Family Affairs; the National Women’s Advisory Council, along
with other female non-governmental organizations and advocacy groups, and stakeholders, prepare to observe National Women’s Week across the Commonwealth of The Bahamas (November 24-30).
Minister LaRoda said his Ministry, the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, along with its government and non-governmental partners and stakeholders must, and will, remain “resolute” in their push as it relates to “rooting out this scourge.”
The start of National Women’s Week serves as the precursor to the global observance of the United Nations’ Sixteen Days of Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls, which will be observed from November 25 (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day). The campaign calls for global action to increase awareness, advocacy and innovations to help end violence against women and girls.
The sixteen days of activism are included in the observance of National Women’s Week and, in this regard, the Department of Gender and Family Affairs has organized the End the Violence March and Rally for Sunday, December 7, beginning at 4 p.m. The March will commence at the South Beach Police Station and end at the Pinewood Gardens Park with a rally. It is expected that representation from a cross-section of the country will come together in solidarity to speak out against violence against women and girls.
Gender-based violence (or GBV) is considered a serious violation of human rights and a life-threatening health, and protection issue. Although anyone — women, girls, men and boys — can be victims of gender-based violence, women and girls are especially at risk.
GBV can include sexual, physical, mental and economic harm inflicted in public or in private. It also includes threats of violence, coercion and manipulation. This can take many forms such as intimate partner violence and sexual violence, among others.
Officials at the Department of Gender and Family Affairs (DGFA), including those at its Men’s Desk, say the consequences of gender-based violence are devastating and can have life-long repercussions for survivors. It can even lead to death.
In an effort to continue its mandate to bring further awareness to the negative impacts GBV can have, the DGFA has been working year-round with the National Women’s Advisory Council and other strategic partners and stakeholders, including the various advocacy groups, to address GBV and to ensure the implementation and strengthening of the requisite programmes and strategies to help address, prevent and mitigate Gender-based violence in-country.
Minister LaRoda, in his brief statement on the incident as it is still under active police investigation, said: “You would note that just last
night (Wednesday night), we learned of the very tragic death of a female child in southern, New Providence and we were alerted to other children who have gone missing. While details of this tragedy and the missing children case is still under investigation, we make the clarion call for an end to violence, particularly against our women and girls.”
Minister LaRoda, while applauding the work done by the DGFA, the National Women’s Advisory Council, and the many other government and non-governmental partners and stakeholders, in “getting the message out” of the debilitating effects Gender-based violence, and indeed all violence, can have on society, said the push to address GBV will take resilience.
“The violence doesn’t stop on the observance of days. We have to come to grips that ours is a society, where acts of violence including death against women and girls, do not take a vacation. But we as a community have to remain resilient. We have to continue to put the message out there. We are not going to get to Utopia based on naming days, coming up with strategies where we are going to bat 1,000 per cent.
“We, at the Ministry, including those women’s advocacy groups, government and non-governmental organizations, and private citizens who are appalled by this act cannot be deterred. Our collective resolve has to be one where we become even more resolute in our mission as it relates to rooting out this scourge.”
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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