By Cyndie Demming

The least is not our portion, nor are we looking for the most.  We are simply asking for a level playing field, 50/50 in short equality.  The Ministry of Gender Affairs, St Kitts & Nevis launched on Monday 13 July 2009 a Women Issues Manifesto aptly entitled, “The Least Is Not Our Portion.”  For some, I am sure this is quite ironic owing to the fact that for many of us the least continues to be our portion.

I want to publicly commend the Ministry on this milestone as it is the second in the series of Women Issues manifestos, the first one being published in 2004.  It highlighted the issues that affect women and needed urgent action.  These issues can only be addressed through proper governance and true representation.  An integral part of this representation rest with the electoral process; women voicing their concerns and disgust in appropriate forms.  The newly launched manifesto addresses issues from as long ago as the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action that to date our government has failed to initiate even after they have signed on as parties to the agreement.  Permit me to list a few of the issues from the Beijing Platform for Action:

Chapter V, section 293, “Governments have the primary responsibility for implementing the Platform for Action.  Commitment at the highest political level is essential to its implementation, and Governments should take a leading role in coordinating, monitoring and assessing progress in the advancement of women.  Section 296 states, “In order for the Platform for Action to be implemented, it will be necessary for Governments to establish or improve the effectiveness of national machineries for the advancement of women at the highest political level, appropriate intra- and inter-ministerial procedures and staffing, and other institutions with the mandate and capacity to broaden women's participation and integrate gender analysis into policies and programmes.”

In 2004 the Ministry of Gender Affairs distributed the first Women Issues Manifesto to all political parties with the expectation that the political parties would adhere to the issues and the manifesto would form part of their campaign manifesto seeking re-election.  Sad to say our government did not adhere to any of the issues brought forward.  Noteworthy is the many initiatives that women have taken; but our government is relaxed when it comes to implementation.  To support this argument I speak to the enacting and or amending of laws that affect women.  Thus, rather than ignoring, ensuring the speedy passage of the three pieces of legislation which were tabled since 2003, Namely:-

·         Equality in Employment

·         Equal Pay for Work of Equal

·         Sexual Harassment Legislation

Other areas which affect women that need urgent attention are:-

·         Facilitate training to increase the number of women in political decision making, proportional to their representation in the population, as advocated by the 1995 Beijing Platform for action and CEDAW.

·         Appoint a proportional number of women to paid boards and commissions.

·         Political parties are encouraged to reserve nominative positions for women until equality in decision making is realized.  

My question is, does this Women Issues Manifesto have any teeth?  Are we just barking and would not be able to bite?  Do our politicians even care about our women folk?  The answer to my question was evident at the launching of the manifesto in Nevis when approximately 50 women leaders gathered at the Red Cross Building to garner the support of our concerned and caring government.  The lone parliamentarian supporting this manifesto was the Hon. Hensley Daniel who is not even a Federal Minister.  Minister Daniel we appreciate your support of the Federation’s Women Issues Manifesto. 

The notable absence of the high ranking decision makers in our parliament was no surprise to me as their absence solidifies their contribution to the advancement of women.  Would it be right for me to ponder the adage, “Out of sight, out of mind?” Incidentally, evidence of the composition of parliament in the region was highlighted at the launch of the Manifesto.  The St Kitts/Nevis Federal Parliament prominently stood out as the only Parliament in the region to have not even one elected or nominated female in the house of parliament.

The question remains, are our leaders just paying lip service as usual to our women?  It is not too late to change the composition of our Federal Parliament.  I urge our caring Prime Minister to adhere to the 1995 Beijing Platform of Action and the 2004 and 2009 Women Issues Manifesto and change the two nominated members of parliament and replace them with capable women leaders; this is a simply resolution, one  that needs only a few members to vote on, or so I believe.  I implore you to make the change before the election is called.

The Least Is Not Our Portion …… and men of quality respect and understand the urgent need for equality.

July 2009

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