Nassau, The Bahamas, March 8, 2022 – Colina Insurance Limited (Colina) commemorated International Women’s Day by donating five thousand dollars each to The Bahamas Crisis Centre and Providing Access to Continued Education (PACE).

“Colina stands with women in our country and around the world as we ‘break the bias’ in keeping with this year’s International Women’s Day theme,” said DeAndrea Lewis, Vice President, Life Operations, Colina.

“At Colina, eighty percent of our employees and sales agents are women and more than half of our executive team consists of females,” said Lewis. “Inclusion is critical for a diverse and equitable work environment; women add value across our company.”

The Bahamas Crisis Centre, which was founded in 1982, plays a critical role in mitigating domestic violence and assisting victims of abuse and other challenges which negatively impact families, particularly women. 

“The Bahamas Crisis Centre lends its voice and activities towards the empowerment of women socially, politically, economically, and spiritually,” said Mrs. Cleopatra Christie, Administrator, The Crisis Centre. “We applaud the continued advancement of women in leadership throughout our country, while reaffirming our commitment towards the liberation of women everywhere.”

PACE School, which has functioned since 1969, ensures that young mothers continue their studies to equip them to independently sustain themselves and their children.

“PACE is a school for teen mothers and we provide continued education,” said Patrice Miller, Acting Principal, PACE. “We have a three-pronged entity where we provide students between the ages of 13 and 16 with mainstream education, students between the ages of 16 to 18 we provide either tertiary education via BTVI or the University of The Bahamas.”

“Colina is committed to community building through partnerships with organizations that empower and support others, in this case – women,” said Maxine V. Seymour, Director, Corporate Communications, Colina. “Today’s donations to The Bahamas Crisis Centre will help stock the pantry with food items for their clients while PACE will use the funds to source supplies for students and their infants.”

The International Women’s Day ceremony was held on the front lawn of Colina’s corporate offices at 308 East Bay Street.

About International Women’s Day (IWD)

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality. Marked annually on March 8th, IWD is one of the most important days of the year to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness about women’s equality, lobby for accelerated gender parity and to fundraise for female-focused charities. The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2022 is #BreakTheBias.

About Colina Insurance Limited (Colina)

Colina is a diversified financial services company, offering comprehensive life and health insurance solutions. Colina is wholly-owned by Colina Holdings Bahamas Limited (CHBL). CHBL is a Bahamian Company, built on a firm foundation of trust, integrity and responsibility. Colina has evolved over the past 155 years to become The Bahamas’ largest life and health insurer, with a solid reputation for providing insurance and related financial services products that help clients prepare for life’s unexpected events.

About The Bahamas Crisis Centre

The Bahamas Crisis Centre exists to end domestic violence through advocacy, education, and prevention. The Crisis Centre is a non-profit, ideologically independent organization primarily pledged to respond to the needs of all victims of sexual, physical and psychological abuse. The Centre also advocates for legislative and societal protection of survivors and raises public consciousness through education and information.

About Providing Access to Continued Education (PACE)

Providing Access to Continued Education (PACE) is governed by the PACE Foundation, which is a non-profit entity established in 2004. The PACE Foundation engages both private and public sectors towards initiatives concerning the overall operation of the school and its opportunities for students. PACE School was founded in 1969 by Mrs. Andrea Archer to assist new and existing teen moms whom had difficulties completing school. Since its opening, the school has been effective in providing support services to young mothers pre and post pregnancy.