With all seven of the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) female candidates winning their seats, the results of last week’s general election represented a milestone for Bahamian women, who had previously never held more than five seats in Parliament.
Englerston MP-elect Glenys Hanna-Martin, who won her seat by a particularly large margin, said she hopes the increase in women in Parliament will lead to more diverse perspectives in the legislating process.
“The challenge we’re going to face is to make it a sustainable norm with increasing numbers,” she said.
“I’m trusting that in this new day, that we will cause for greater inclusion of women in the process and in decision-making, because the input of women as unique participants in this, the human journey, is very, very important.
“And the diversity allows for a more broad-spectrum understanding of our social and economic reality.
“So, I think that the increased number is excellent. I think the women have to ensure that they cause for their unique voices to be integrated into the process and not fall in line with a sort of centralized norm.”
She said in future elections, there has to be an effort on the part of all parties to nominate more women.
Hanna-Martin, who has been elected to represent Englerston for five consecutive terms, is now the longest-serving woman in the history of the Bahamian Parliament.
“I am very grateful that I have been able to still have a hand in it or a voice in it while at the same time I think being more equipped in service to the Bahamian people,” Hanna-Martin said when asked about the accomplishment.
“… This added involvement has come with a lot more understanding, mistakes made, and I made lots, lessons learned, and I’ve learned plenty, and just a more enhanced commitment and love for the Bahamian people, particularly the people who I represent.”
The other women who will be in Parliament include Bamboo Town MP-elect Patricia Deveaux, Elizabeth MP-elect JoBeth Coleby-Davis, Golden Gates MP-elect Pia Glover-Rolle, Marathon MP-elect Lisa Rahming, Pineridge MP-elect Ginger Moxey, and Sea Breeze MP-elect Leslia Miller-Brice.
Women now account for 17 percent of the 39 seats in the House of Assembly.
Five women were elected to Parliament in 2017, of 39 seats. There were also five women elected to Parliament in 2012 out of 38 seats, and five out of 40 seats in the 2007 election.
Despite the improvement in 2021, the percentage of women elected to Parliament in The Bahamas is still far below the United Nations’ minimum recommended quota of 30 percent.
Glover-Rolle, however, said the 2021 results show that women are breaking glass ceilings.
“I think the message is that the ceiling is broken,” she said.
“You know, people talk about there being a ceiling. The ceiling is broken. We have paved the way for young women in the country to aspire to politics when there was somewhat of a fear for young women.
“And I guess we beat the odds.
“As you said, seven of us made it and I think that is a testament to the fact that it is a new day. The door is open for females and now we have to run through it and do our very best to ensure that we blaze trails continually.”
Rahming said it was relieving to see voters’ confidence in women to lead the country.
“I’m so excited and I know that women speak truth to power and I’m excited for each one of them,” she said.
“… Not that we had any doubt, but we were like, ‘Oh my God, the country is actually now accepting and viewing that women can now hold positions that men usually hold, and to trust us to do the right thing.’”
Coleby-Davis said it is her hope that the women will become members of the Cabinet.
Of the five women elected to Parliament during the last term, only two served in Cabinet, and only one at a time.
While it remains to be seen exactly who will sit in Davis’ Cabinet, Coleby-Davis said she is looking forward to a change.
“I am excited for the possibility that this brings,” she said.
“… Obviously, some of us or all of us would be invited to sit in Cabinet. And that is definitely going to be a change from what we experienced in the last four and a half years.
“I am excited about how we can play such an instrumental role in bringing forth a lot of the concerns and the issues that women face on a daily basis, some of the gender issues, the inequality concerns related to jobs, related to treatment and legislation.
“And so, I think it allows us to open up the conversation a little bit more and get some change that is actually beneficial to women, children, families, the homes.
“It’s just a good day, a good day in history. I’m happy.”
Deveaux also expressed hope that she and her fellow female colleagues will be able to serve in a meaningful capacity.
“It’s an exciting time for women,” she said.
“There were only seven of us among the masses. We have all won our seats, and from what I am hearing, we have all done it handsomely.
“… I’m hoping that the leader puts us in places where we can really serve and best serve this country as we move this country forward.”
When asked her views, Miller-Brice said she is confident Davis will make the best decision.
“We are seven phenomenal women and we are ready to get to work,” she said.
“As it relates to Cabinet and any post that’s going to be decided, that’s up to our leader and he’s going to make the right decisions just as he made the right decisions to get us where we are today.
“So, we’re leaning on him and we’re depending on him. The right decisions will be made.”
The post New Parliament will see record number of women seated appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
source https://thenassauguardian.com/new-parliament-will-see-record-number-of-women-seated/
No comments:
Post a Comment