NASSAU, Bahamas, (CMC) — A feminist group has written to the Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall, describing as “ludicrous, unacceptable, (and) unlawful behaviour”, the decision of the Parliamentary Registration Department to turn away Bahamian women from voter registration stations.

In the January 9 letter, Hollaback! Bahamas, which describes itself “as a feminist organisation focused on the rights and protection of women and girls”, said that it had been forced to organise protest action in response to the reports that women were being turned away.

It said it organised a ‘TooSexyToVote action,’ bringing women together to register to vote in the clothing of their choice at the Parliamentary Registration Department on January 4.

“All participants — whether wearing a crochet top, crop top, or three-piece suit — were able to complete the process. On the same day, however, we received reports of Bahamian women being turned away, specifically from the Cable Beach Post Office. Days later, reports of Bahamian women being turned away for reason of dress continue to pour in through traditional media, social media, and informal networks,” the group said in its letter to the commissioner.

It said “it is our duty to respond to the ludicrous, unacceptable, unlawful behaviour of Parliamentary Registration Department staff, and the ridiculous assertion — in defence of staff — that women are expected to hide shoulders, breasts, and cleavage as though they are shameful, rather than parts of their anatomy.

“Supporting arbitrary discrimination against women is a devastating use of power, particularly regarding attire in a country where over 12% of the population lives below the poverty line and incidences of rape per capita are almost nine times the world average.”

The group said that economic inequality must be a consideration, and social ills cannot be divorced from existing legislation, government agency behaviour, or declaration by leaders and people of influence.

“Men must exercise their power with greater responsibility, recognising the far-reaching effects of their decisions, declarations, and devolution to potentially reckless individuals who can negatively impact marginalised communities.”

The group said that women with “half their breasts out and cleavage showing” are no less entitled to register to vote than anyone else, recalling a statement by National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage that no hindrance should be put in the way of people registering to vote by the parliamentary registrar or anyone else.

“It is not the job of the Parliamentary Registration Department to make judgment on citizens’ morality, decency, or any other subjective, immeasurable characteristic,” Hollaback! Bahamas said.