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PROPOSAL FOR ASSOCIATION OF FEMALE POLITICIANS

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 26, 2009 – Grenadian parliamentarian Glynis Roberts wants to see the formation of an Association of Caribbean Female Politicians.  She floated the idea in a speech Sunday to a women’s meeting in Basseterre, St. Kitts.

“One of the suggestions I want to leave with you is that we, as women, quickly move to establish an Association of Caribbean Female Politicians,’’ said Mrs. Roberts, who was invited to speak at the meeting by the Caribbean Institute of Women in Leadership.

A two-time Member of Parliament for St. George South, Mrs. Roberts is Treasurer of the ruling National Democratic Congress and Minister of Labour.  She also has responsibility in government for Social Services and Ecclesiastical Affairs.

The minister said members of the proposed Association of Caribbean Female Politicians could meet yearly to share experiences as women involved in politics.

“We can also serve as a forum for mentoring and nurturing young women in the Caribbean on choosing a life of political service, and to warn them about the dangers and pitfalls they should try to avoid at all cost,’’ said Mrs. Roberts.

Here is the full text of Minister Roberts’ address to the meeting

I am truly humbled by your invitation to address you; humbled and honoured that you regard me as worthy to speak on such an important topic, “Getting Women Comfortable with Power.’’

As a small part of the world, the Caribbean has a relatively high ratio of women involved in politics generally, and in government positions, in particular.  Even then, I still argue that there should be more of us.

Grenada was the first CARICOM country with a female Governor, Dame Hilda Bynoe. We have had female Prime Ministers in Dominica, Dame Eugenia Charles, and in Jamaica, Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller.  We have also had women serving in senior cabinet positions across the region, and two of the world’s best-known Prime Ministers have been Indira Gandhi of India and Margaret Thatcher of Great Britain.  One is not asking you to like their ideologies or political philosophies.  But there is no argument that the one thing all the aforementioned female Prime Ministers have had in common was their comfort with participating in the political arena with their male counterparts; their comfort, too, with power and with exercising power. These female leaders – and other women politicians, especially those who pushed and shoved and cleared the path as pioneers to make sure women are not excluded from political power – were tough, decisive, full of self-will and self-confidence and – very importantly – were passionate about politics.

Passion is an indispensable component of the armour of any woman who dares to consider a life in politics.  It’s something that I’ve learnt and which I try to live by.  Of course, passion must be combined with a host of other things, including courage, honesty, and love for the people you are elected to serve.  As things stand at the moment, we are likely to be outnumbered by men, especially at senior government and party levels, no matter which government or party that we are a part of. It’s critical, however, that we do not become intimidated and that we speak up forcefully and clearly at our party and cabinet meetings on matters of principle that we truly believe are in the best interests of our party and country. Arrows and darts may come our way in the process. But we must develop thick skins and strong backs to withstand them.

My party, the National Democratic Congress, won an overwhelming election mandate last July 8, capturing 11 of 15 seats in Parliament. And of 16 members on the Executive of the National Democratic Congress, seven – including myself as Treasurer – are women. Not bad, you’ll say. However, I’m not resting on my laurels. I have repeatedly said that I was disappointed at the level of women’s involvement in the election, and have been encouraging more female participation in the process, especially as candidates. I have also been imploring more women to join our party, whose leaders have included a female. Honourable Joan Purcell has been a leader of the National Democratic Congress. She is currently the President of the Senate in Grenada. In fact, Joan – who has way more experience in politics than I do – has documented what it is like to be a woman in politics. She talks about power, responsibility, decision-making and other issues in an autobiography which she published last year.  Joan’s book is a well-written piece of work and it’s a must read for budding female politicians in Grenada and the rest of the Caribbean.  I have brought with me a copy of Joan Purcell’s book, which I would like to donate to you.

Sisters, our presence in the political sphere, at the centre of power, and being comfortable there, is not optional.  It’s required; it’s needed. We bring a perspective and a balance that would otherwise be missing.  Without us, the voices of 50 percent or more of the population would be absent from the decision-making of our countries.  We cannot allow this to happen. Get involved!  The more you’re involved, and the greater is your passion for serving, the more comfortable you’ll become in the noble task of service in the exercise of political power.

In March, I also had the distinguished privilege of speaking to a women’s convention of the Unity Labour Party in Kingstown, St. Vincent. I said to the women then, and I’ll say to you today, that that the future of the entire Caribbean depends on our women. Now is the time! Today there is a call for women to put their hearts and minds to work to create the machinery needed to transform our nations.

I am a Minister of Government, not because of my education and qualification, not because I have great fame.  I have twice been elected a Member of Parliament and serve in the Cabinet of my Prime Minister, Honourable Tillman Thomas, because of the dedication I have shown to helping people and to bettering their living conditions.  This is my passion and it should be yours also.

If we can borrow a phrase, say it and believe, then we can achieve and be comfortable in whatever roles we choose.  The phrase we are borrowing is from a distinguished recent visitor to the Caribbean, U.S. President Barack Obama: “Yes, We Can.’’ We know if we can perceive it, we can achieve it – “Yes, We Can!’’

For too long, women have been in the background in supportive roles.  Now we must step up to the wicket and take leadership positions in our parties and governments.

The same message I had for my Vincentian Sisters is the same message I have for you: bring your passion and leadership skills and abilities to the task of nation-building, and in realizing the vision of a better tomorrow, and a better life for our children and grandchildren.  You will only truly know what you comfort level is by engaging and involving yourselves with passion and vigour. As Janet Hagbergy said, “people with passion are incredibly inventive and tenacious individuals.’’

One of the suggestions I want to leave with you is that we, as women, quickly move to establish an Association of Caribbean Female Politicians. This way we can formally meet at least once a year to share our experiences. We can also serve as a forum for mentoring and nurturing young women in the Caribbean on choosing a life of political service, and to warn them about the dangers and pitfalls they should try to avoid at all cost.

I want to close with a quote from Woodrow Wilson on the issue of power. He said:  “Power consists in one’s capacity to link his will with the purpose of others, to lead by reason and a gift of cooperation.’’ 

Thank you, Sisters, and may GOD bless you all abundantly.

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