Heather Robinson

I am taking a deep breath. I have taken many deep breaths. I am writing today about the need for the Jamaican woman to demonstrate and have economic independence.

Let me preface my comments with some basic personal facts. I was raised by my parents who believed in economic independence. My life has, happily, never found me in a place where I have needed to depend on a man to support me, and that is why even when I was unemployable, I used my sewing and baking skills to support myself in the best way possible.

In the over 30 years that I have been a member of the People's National Party (PNP), I have never been a member of the PNP Women's Movement or any other women's organisation or group. Yes, there are some excellent programmes that women in these organisations have implemented, and they must be congratulated. But behind the majority of these programmes is the need for the Jamaican woman to be able to stand on her own two feet, and alone if necessary.

These programmes have never supported the view that women must be dependent on men for our survival. There is the perception, in some communities in Jamaica, that women and, unfortunately, girls should have a man to support them. The most common route of trying to accomplish this is via the 'baby mother' route. Since, legally, fathers are bound by law to support their children, there are some women who have given birth to babies, with the expectation that this will compel men to support them, the mothers, as well.

Empower our women

'Them' is the operative word, as many of these women believe that child support must of necessity include the mother. And it appears that some women never learn that this is not a viable route, as the same mistake is made with several different men. The year 2007 has special significance for us, the descendants of slaves. It is the year when we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade. In this year, therefore, as women we should be seeking to further empower our women, and make them less dependent on men for economic survival. Women who have men who feel obliged to support them should never flaunt this.

The Labour Force Survey of October 2005 presents us with some interesting data. There are 424,900 women outside the labour force. About 55 per cent or 232,100 of these women are outside the labour force because they "did not want to work". There is, however, an encouraging piece of information. Thirty-one per cent or 133,300 are "at school full time". As a country, we have to find creative means to increase rapidly the number of women at school and decrease the number of those who do not want to work.

Good examples needed

Leaders must send clear and intelligent signals and messages to followers that in the year 2007, it can no longer be considered commen-dable to flaunt the fact that a man is supporting you. Followers and supporters must want to emulate the good examples set by our leaders, so leaders must of necessity be careful about what they say and do.

Every leader, be they at the local, constituency or national level, should be working towards ensuring that constituents, and especially female constituents, are not obliged to stretch their hands towards them, or indeed anyone else.

Today, February 9, marks the 18th anniversary of the PNP's electoral victory led by Michael Manley in 1989. In the 1970s, he taught us 'ROOTS', which meant Rely On Ourselves to Survive. Let this be the day that we pledge to continue his work, males and especially females.