During the 2024–2025 biennium, PAHO played a central role in strengthening the Bahamas’ public health approach to preventing and responding to violence, including violence against women and girls, and other populations in situations of vulnerability.  

PAHO provided sustained technical cooperation to support the finalization of a draft national policy and program for the prevention and management of violence, with particular emphasis on operationalization. This support focused on translating policy commitments into implementable actions, including guidance on phased rollout, piloting approaches, implementation planning, and the design of a national training component targeting health and social care providers involved in the response to violence against women and girls, and other populations in situations of vulnerability.  

In 2025, PAHO further supported national momentum in this area by contributing to and participating in the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ First National Forum on the Primary Prevention of Violence, which convened a broad, multisectoral group of stakeholders and featured high-level political engagement. The Forum advanced a shared understanding of violence as a preventable public health issue and supported the development of a draft Green Paper and National Strategy for Violence Prevention and Reduction for public consultation.  

Through these combined efforts, PAHO helped to strengthen political commitment, foster intersectoral collaboration, and position the health system as a key actor in prevention-oriented and survivor-centered responses. These outputs contribute to improved access to coordinated services, stronger prevention frameworks, and a more enabling policy environment to reduce violence and its long-term health, social, and economic impacts.