Women in political spotlight 2002
For women in politics, 2002 was a hectic year. Early in the year, the official head-of-state, Queen Elizabeth II stopped in as part of her jubilee anniversary world tour, but her visit barely generated the interest and excitement that the country’s thirteenth general elections since independence did.
The October 16 general polls were characterised by the highest number of women candidates ever offering themselves for representation. Of the five political parties, two, the National Democratic Movement and the United People’s Party, contested the elections under the leadership of women – educator Hyacinth Bennett and radio talk-show host Antonette Haugton-Cardenas.
Campaign 2002 proved to be an interesting one, with veteran Member of Parliament Olivia Grange and three-time cabinet minister Portia Simpson Miller attracting the media spotlight with highly berated public outbursts. Grange, accused of threatening and intimidating an electoral officer, and Simpson Miller, who was caught on camera vociferously protesting attempts to tarnish her reputation, were roundly chastised on radio, in the press and on verandahs islandwide.
In the end, however, critics and commentators were silenced by the electorate, who voted overwhelmingly in south St Andrew and central St Catherine to have ‘Sista P’ and ‘Babsy’ be their voice in the government.
When the smoke cleared, the nation returned the same number of women to Gordon House, but there were some changes. First time MPs Aloun N’Dombet Assamba and Maxine Henry Wilson gained top positions at the vital tourism and industry ministry and the ministry of education, youth and culture respectively, while high-achiever Simpson Miller took over the reins of the new ‘super-ministry’ of local government, community development and sport.
Familiar faces Sharon Hay-Webster and Shahine Robinson retained their MP seats, while newly-appointed state minister of finance and planning Deika Morrison brought a new look to the traditional staid senate.
But even with the excitement of a general election and the appointment of more women to key political positions this year, the women who most caught our attention were those that made virtually uncelebrated victories in politics.
Verna Parchment, on a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) ticket, took the nation by surprise by wrestling a ‘safe’ seat from the People’s National Party (PNP) the old-fashioned way, with a modest budget and a good pair of walking shoes.
Heather Robinson once again commandeered our respect by standing firm to her principles and resigning as campaign manager for western St Thomas when invited to participate in gun politics.
Overall, our women in politics seemed to have held their own during 2002.