UN Provides Funding For Women’s Empowerment

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The United Nations and The Bahamas Development Bank announcing the launch of the joint sustainable development goals fund, under the theme “Building Back Equal Through Innovative Financing for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment”. Jared Higgs tells us more.

Agriculture, sustainable tourism, and creative cultural industries, all areas difficult for vulnerable groups to access funding for, but that’s meant to change through the United Nations joint SDG fund.

United nations resident coordinator dr. Garry Conille explains the goal of the funding.

The fund, which was officially launched at the Balmoral Club targets women, young people, people living with disabilities and family island residents.

The aim of the program is to end the vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States.

Besides addressing economic shortcomings, the fund is meant to tackle environmental weaknesses as well as the shocks caused by the covid-19 pandemic.

Previously, countries with small populations, but relatively high per capita GDP such as The Bahamas were prevented from accessing funding.

However UN Women Caribbean Representative Tonni Ann Brodbar says this fund is different.

The SDG fund is starting out at about $1 million, but Dr. Conille says there is more to come.

The Bahamas is first out the gate in the region, and officials say they will take The Bahamas experience to roll out other programs in the region.

The Bahamas Development Bank will serve as a focal point for the SDG’s work.

BDB Chairman Senator Quinton Lightbourne says the BDB shares in the commitment to empowering vulnerable groups.

Reporting for Our News, I’m Jared Higgs.