My fellow countrywomen and countrymen in the Bahamas count ourselves most for...

My fellow countrywomen and countrymen in the Bahamas count ourselves most fortunate, for we have no first-hand knowledge of the horrors and ravages of war and civil strife. Nonetheless, we feel the pain and suffering of our fellow human beings caught up in conflict and war in other parts of the world, particularly the women and children who are disproportionately affected by such negative circumstances. As noted by Martin Luther King, Jr., “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”, and one might correctly extrapolate from that notable quote that conflict anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere. For this reason, we feel compelled to lend our voice to this important debate today and to recognize the important role of women in this process.