Empowering girls across the Bahamas and beyond – an announcement from Soroptimist International and the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network for the 13th Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting, The Bahamas, 21 - 23 August 2023

As Governments and civil society from across the Commonwealth gather in Nassau for the 13th Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting in the Bahamas on 21-23 August, Soroptimist International and the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network announce the Commonwealth’s first joint Soroptimist International and Commonwealth's competition from both of these two leading Commonwealth organisations with a mandate for gender equality aimed at raising the confidence and self-esteem of 10- and 11-year-old girls.

The contest called ‘Visible and Vocal’ is sponsored by Soroptimist International and the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network and has several key objectives: encouraging girls to play a more prominent part in public life; promoting and awareness of global issues; improving the art of communication; encouraging girls to develop the skill to speak effectively and to articulate with clarity; developing self-confidence and personality; and encouraging higher order thinking skills such as research, critical and analytical thinking, evaluation, and synthesis of knowledge.

The girl who shines brightest in the Bahamas will go on to face competition from four other countries from across the Commonwealth – Canada, Cyprus, Pakistan, Rwanda and Australia. The competition will also include several other countries from outside the Commonwealth.

President of Soroptimist International, Maureen Maguire and Freda Miriklis, Chair, Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network will introduce the competition to the Spouse of the Prime Minister, Mrs. Ann Marie Davis when they meet her during 13WAMM.

The overall winner, who will be announced at the Grand Final held virtually on 10 December 2023 (Soroptimist International Foundation Day), will be awarded a certificate and a gift.

Both Soroptimist International (SI) and the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network (CBWN) are accredited organisations directly recognised by 56 Commonwealth governments across six continents. Soroptimist International (SI) is volunteer movement with 66,000 Soroptimists within five Federations, which empowers, educates and enables women and girls all over the globe. It works to achieve gender equality, human rights, peace and security through grassroots projects and also has wider representation in another 62 United Nations member states beyond the Commonwealth.

SI President Maureen Maguire says, “We are thrilled to be bringing our brand-new competition, Visible and Vocal, to the Bahamas. Soroptimist International is recognised for its work to bring out the best in women and girls, and we can’t wait to find the best young public speaker in the Bahamas!”

The Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network (CBWN), works with women in business to encourage, enable and embed women’s economic empowerment and leadership potential through trade, talent and training by working with Governments, strategic partners Commonwealth organisations and the private sector.

Freda Miriklis, Chair, Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network says: ‘We are delighted to partner with Soroptimist International, a key member of the Commonwealth family, in this major initiative to support girls across the Commonwealth. The challenges that girls face are real but providing them with the confidence and self-esteem necessary can be pivotal not least at the age group this competition targets.’