Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter
Inequality, lack of funding and adequate training to improve confidence, are the greatest deterrents for women who aspire to be political representatives says Evelyn Smart, founding coordinator of Jamaica Women's Political Caucus (JWPC).
According to Mrs. Smart the concern relates not just to the perceptions of men, but women are also unaccepting of women in the electoral process.
"There are women who know that women are as intelligent as men and will work and can do just as men do in politics and better, but not all women traditionally understand that," she said, noting that the problem was not unique to Jamaica.
She however added that it is sometimes the inequality in the thought process, meaning some women will never feel equal to men in many things, that holds them back.
Not friendly to women
On the other hand, while family obligations tie the feet of most women, Mrs. Smart emphasised that the "first past the post" electoral process is not friendly to women as it favours political parties, which favour men.
Regarding campaign funding, the women's activist noted that women do not readily get access to campaign funding during election campaigns. "That is why the Jamaica Women's Political Caucus right now is interested in getting involved in giving campaign funding to female candidates, because we know it is one of the chief barriers for women," she told The Gleaner.
Her sentiments were echoed by president of the Association of Women's Organisations in Jamaica (AWOJA), Hermione McKenzie, who also argues that the "first past the post" process, marginalises women.
Female candidates
"The only countries where women are represented up to the 40 per cent level, are countries where they have a quota system that insist that each political party must have a certain number of female candidates," Mrs. McKenzie told The Gleaner.
She pointed out that two such countries are India and Germany. The quota system has been proposed by the JWPC. However, she pointed out that for such a system to work in Jamaica, there would have to be a change to the entire electoral system.
Additionally, she said that while the number of women in Jamaican politics have remained significantly low compared to other countries, there has been an increase over the last ten years.
Noting that the concept of a politician to the public is still largely male, she said Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is an exception to the rule
