Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) leaders and U.S. officials negotiate a formal accord for the Bahamas to adopt the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) initiative, promising to increase gender inclusivity and leadership diversity in the RBDF. ROYAL BAHAMAS DEFENCE FORCE
THE WATCH STAFF
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) held a formal signing of the North American Defence Framework (NADF) to Advance Women, Peace and Security Agenda with U.S. officials in October 2024, strengthening the partnership between the nations and codifying the values of gender inclusivity and diversity into the RBDF’s core mission. RBDF Commodore Raymond E. King signed the accord with Cmdr. Victor Lange, a U.S. Embassy senior defense official, and Capt. Charlie McCurdy, bilateral affairs officer of the Rhode Island National Guard, “underscoring the deepening ties between North American defence partners,” according to an RBDF news release.
The NADF is a letter of intent, demonstrating the goal of the RBDF and the U.S. “to embed the principles of the WPS (Women, Peace and Security) agenda” into their armed forces. The U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM)’s WPS approach has been honed over two decades, reflecting the evolution of U.S. law, U.S. national strategy, and the Department of Defense and USNORTHCOM commanders’ guidance, according to the USNORTHCOM website.
“WPS is founded upon abundant evidence showing that women’s safety and security is directly linked to a country’s stability, and that persistent barriers to women’s advancement in defense undermines organizational effectiveness and national security. WPS provides unique opportunities, both throughout USNORTHCOM and with our partners, to reinforce women’s empowerment, meaningful participation in decision-making, protection from violence, and access to resources. It is both a values-based approach and also a practical one. When USNORTHCOM and our partners advance the principles of WPS, we not only strengthen our security and defense institutions and interoperability, evidence shows it also leads to more stable and resilient societies,” the web page states.
The NADF offers a formal structure for nations like the Bahamas, a key partner in addressing various challenges in the eastern Caribbean, to incorporate WPS values to increase interoperability in military culture, allowing a more tightly cohesive collaboration in combating illegal trafficking of people, guns and drugs. It also sets up a framework to share best practices on how best to secure regional stability and prosperity. “This initiative is vital to enhancing organizational effectiveness, fostering resilience, and promoting stability, while addressing strategic risks through inclusive security practices,” the RBDF news release states.
The accord also aligns with the RBDF’s Gender Optimization Policy, adopted in 2022, to promote greater diversity in leadership and a more inclusive military force, the release stated. An August 2022 seminar in collaboration with USNORTHCOM, the U.S. Southern Command and the Rhode Island National Guard formed the foundation for the formal adoption of WPS principles, the RBDF release stated. “This initiative marks a significant step forward in international defence cooperation, showcasing the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s dedication to fostering inclusive and secure environments. The signing of the North American Defence Framework is a testament to the RBDF’s commitment to promoting Women, Peace, and Security, and to advancing diversity and equality within the global defence landscape,” the RBDF release stated.