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Young Bahamians tackle gender equality through research and entrepreneurship
20 Bahamian Youth between the ages of 18-30 participated in UNESCO’s ‘Youth As Researchers: Advancing Entrepreneurship for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment’ on Monday, December 18, 2023, in Nassau, Bahamas.
Youth As Researchers in The Bahamas, a new research initiative within the SDG Fund Project on Building Back Equal Through Innovative Financing for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, conducted in partnership with the UNESCO Chairs at Penn State University and the National University of Ireland invites participants to explore entrepreneurial potentials in the post-COVID-19 era and on closing gaps that women and youth face in agriculture, sustainable tourism, and creative and cultural industries.
Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, M.P., Minister of Education, Technical and Vocational Training, in her opening remarks highlighted that youth are the representatives of the Bahamian future.
Through your research and work you contribute to our country. [I hope that] you will be strengthened in your presence about how we can help shape [the future of] the Bahamas.
The workshop was also attended by Sandena Neely, Head of the Division of Youth at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.
Dr. Kaila Thorn, a Visiting Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies at Hollins University, and expert on the YAR methodology, delivered the workshop and dived into diverse research methodologies crucial for understanding how to enhance their research capabilities to tackle the environment of entrepreneurship. Dr. Thorn expressed that the primary goal was to create a vibrant network among the researchers to strengthen group dynamics and figure out communication strategies for this project.
I am grateful to UNESCO for providing me with the opportunity to collaborate with incredible individuals and delve into the vital topics of gender equality, youth, and entrepreneurship in The Bahamas. By identifying the root causes of these issues and potential solutions, I believe we can enhance the prospects of success for women and youth in the field of entrepreneurship.
Running until March 2024, Youth as Researchers will continue online in small research teams and will be accompanied by UNESCO and the UNESCO Chairs through mentoring, workshops and interactive sessions on innovative research methodologies, ethical considerations, and to conduct their own research based on the following three themes:
- Exploring the experiences of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and/or private sector to advance and sustain women and youth-led entrepreneurship.
- Exploring government programmes on gender equality and women empowerment and highlights best practices and recommendations for developing MSMEs and advancing women-led entrepreneurship.
- Exploring the views of young people on barriers and opportunities for women-led and youth-led entrepreneurship.
The event concluded on an optimistic note with the young researchers equipped with enhanced methodological skills and a drive for positive change through their research – advancing entrepreneurship for gender equality and women’s empowerment in The Bahamas.
