BAHAMAS NOMINATION FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF

UNCLAS NASSAU 000195 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR G/IWI, WHA/CAR RCBUDDEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWMN PHUM PREL KPAO BF SUBJECT: BAHAMAS NOMINATION FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE AWARD REF: STATE 12871 ¶1. Post nominates Dr. Sandra Dean-Patterson for the Secretary's Award for International Women of Courage. Dr. SIPDIS Dean-Patterson is a pioneering advocate for women's rights in The Bahamas. She has been a public spokeswoman on women's rights and violence against women for decades, promoting legislation, making innumerable appearances on radio shows, contributing to news articles, speaking to church and civic groups, and teaching school children. She has been tireless in her support of women's rights and the fight against abuse. ¶2. Dr. Dean-Patterson opened the Bahamas Crisis Center in 1982, and remains its Director. The Crisis Center is a non-profit organization that provides support to women who are subject to physical, sexual and emotional abuse. It operates a 24-hour hotline for victims of violence and works closely in partnership with the Bahamian police and the Department of Social Services to protect abuse victims. After initial focus on women, the Crisis Center expanded to provide services to abused children, including a 2006 campaign to promote non-violent conflict resolution in schools. The courage required to operate the Crisis Center is worthy of recognition. Especially in a small society like The Bahamas, Dr. Dean-Patterson's high-profile protection of women, including her work with police to prosecute violent men, places her at risk of retribution from abusers, drug dealers and other criminals. More information regarding the Bahamas Crisis Center can be found at www.bahamascrisiscentre.org. ¶3. In addition to her work for women through the Crisis Center, Dr. Dean-Patterson has advocated for amendment of The Bahamas Domestic Violence Act, has fought for equal treatment of women in health care, and has represented The Bahamas to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. While her efforts have been ongoing and successful, Dr. Dean-Patterson has not received sufficient local or international recognition for her contributions to women's rights, women's safety and women's health. ¶4. Dr. Sandra Dean-Patterson, Director of the Bahamas Crisis Center, can be reached at P.O. Box EE-17910, Nassau, The Bahamas, 1-242-328-0922 (office),1-242-328-7824 (fax). Post requests that contact be made through Poloff. Post officer responsible for women's issues is Poloff Gregory Floyd, who can be reached at floydga@state.gov or 1-242-322-1181 x4510. HARDT