NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The Bahamas will be the first Commonwealth Caribbean country to serve as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council after successfully being elected for the term 2019 to 2021, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie Campbell said.

“The Bahamas has already pledged as a member of the council to contribute to the advancements of women’s rights at the national and international levels,” Minister Campbell said as he addressed the 71^st Session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in Geneva, Switzerland, Thursday, October 25, 2018.

He said, “The achievement of the sustainable development agenda is inextricably linked to the promotion and protection of human rights.

“I am fully committed to the further advancement and protection of the rights of women as Minister of Social Services and Urban Development with responsibility for the Department of Gender and Family Affairs.”

The Minister explained that as other noble fathers, he wishes for the economic, political and social empowerment of his three daughters.

He said, “My aspiration is to increase every effort to achieve the full implementation of the Convention as well as the recommendations as set out by the committee, toward the promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls in and of The Bahamas.”