Women's Suffrage and rights in the constitutions of the world​

BAHAMAS 1961
Right to vote: February 18, 1961
Right to stand for election: 1962
First woman in parliament: 1977
Independence: 1973
Population: 391,515
Parliament name: Parliament
Chamber name: House of Assembly
Structure & Status of parliament: Lower Chamber
Statutory number of members: 39
Directly elected
Electoral quota for women: No
DATE WOMEN %
2017-05
2012-05
2007-05
2002-05
1997-03
1992-08
1987-06
1982-06
1973-07
5
5
5
8
6
4
2
1
0
12.82%
13.16%
12.2%
20%
15%
8.16%
4.08%
2.33%
0%
Chamber name: Senate
Structure & Status of parliament: Upper Chamber
Statutory number of members: 16
Appointed by the Governor General
Electoral quota for women: No
DATE WOMEN %
2017-05
2012-05
2010-01
2009-01
2007-12
2007-06
2007-05
1998-01
1997-11
1987-06
1982-06
1977-07
1973-07
7
4
9
5
9
8
9
7
5
3
4
3
0
43.75%
25%
60%
33.33%
60%
53.33%
60%
43.75%
31.25%
18.75%
25%
18.75%
0%
Prior to independence, under British administration, adult male suffrage was introduced in 1959, although members of the
electorate satisfying certain property qualifications also received a second vote. Women were granted the vote in 1961 and
by 1964 all property qualifications had been abolished. The right to vote was confirmed at independence. Janet Gwennett
Bostwick (born Musgrove) in 1977 was appointed to the Senate and in 1982 became the first woman elected to the House of
Assembly.
CONSTITUTION OF 1973
Article 15. Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual
Whereas every person in The Bahamas is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say,
has the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights
and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to each and all of the following, namely:
a. life, liberty, security of the person and the protection of the law;
b. freedom of conscience, of expression and of assembly and association; and
DISCRIMINATION BANNED
c. protection for the privacy of his home and other property and from deprivation of property without compensation, the
subsequent provisions of this Chapter shall have effect for the purpose of affording protection to the aforesaid rights and
freedoms subject to such limitations of that protection as are contained in those provisions, being limitations designed to
ensure that the enjoyment of the said rights and freedoms by any individual does not prejudice the rights and freedoms of
others or the public interest.
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