“This is a man’s world...” James Brown three decades ago – and really, who can argue, even today. But he also said, “it wouldn’t mean nothing without a woman or a girl...” So why then have women been systematically excluded from the political mainstream in Belize? Since 1984 – there have been 5 women Ministers. Only three were full Ministers – only 4 were elected – and of those four - all of them were at one time or another Minister of Human Development which is chronically under-resourced. So why have women been excluded from the mainstream, and when will it change? The question of “Why” might take a long time to answer but, change may be coming sooner than you think. 47 women from all ethnic and social backgrounds today graduated from the first Women in Politics Project and we visited to find out more.
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
39 women received certificates this morning for the first women in politics program. But this was no recognition lightly gained; these women had to show up for 15 Saturdays –were trained in the art of politics. To mark the accomplishment, Dame Billie Miller, former Barbadian Deputy Prime Minister was on hand to distribute out the certificates. Anne Marie Williams of the National Women’s Commission who organized the training says these women the youngest only 17 represent a new guard in politics.
Jules Vasquez,
“Why would you encourage your sisters to get in politics, it is a dirty game?”
Anne Marie Williams, Director – NWC
“You heard the song, we need a change, do it today. Jules the quicker we realize that if women are given a chance to make decisions alongside men we will have a better society, if we women are given the chance to work alongside
men for equal pay, families would benefit and by extension the nation. Whatever we do, if you exclude 51% of the population, you don’t speak about democracy, let alone would any right thinking individual believe that men alone have the answers? So why not involve women, we are capable, a lot of times more capable, we have the aptitude, we could multi-task. We are the mothers. We shore up this very community and by extension the world so why not.”
Jules Vasquez,
“If we had elected women would we have less corruption in public life?”
Anne Marie Williams,
“Well I won’t say that because corruption again, it doesn’t serve us well if we think we know how men behave and how women behave. That is not true. Women are ass corrupt as men are and that doesn’t mean women are there it will stop. We come to this table as individuals and it depends on our integrity, it depends on our watch dogs, it depends on people who lead the party. So a lot of it has not to do with put a woman there and it will get done, no I disbelieve that. I come with my own credibility but unless we start where it matters most, unless we take accountability and we be the change that we need to be.”
Inspiring words and they rang true for this group today who are determined to make a meaningful impression on the political landscape. They got sage advice from the city’s first female Mayor Zenaida Moya who was one of the graduates and a veteran of many battles and Minister Eden Martinez.
Hon. Peter Eden Martinez, Minister of Human Development
“When the days are long and the nights are hard, when your constituents want to see you, sometimes literally before dawn or after midnight, believe me commitment and tenacity is needed. When you are pulled in all directions between your family commitments, constituency commitments, and pressing issues
in Belmopan, tenacity and commitment will hold you in good stead.”
Zenaida Moya-Flowers, Mayor of Belize City
“As a woman being in politics it is not easy neither is it without criticisms and stark reminders that you are scrutinized twice as much as your male counterparts and expected to do double what your male counterparts have done to be acknowledged. Being in politics will also remind you that a woman is still operating in a man’s world. But do not fear ladies, take up the challenge, take up the mantle towards a more equitable and just Belize.
And if there is one thing I have learnt by now is that nobody stones an empty mango tree. So if you are not talked about, written about, asked about, looked about, then there is a strong possibility you have not yet put your name in the race nor have you left your mark yet in the political field in elected office.”
Daedra Haylock, Graduate
“I think a lot of times it is not only the structural issues, it is the way we have played the game of politics many times that discourage women. Women don’t necessarily like to hear the dirty games or the name calling. You don’t want your personal business to be wagged out there or for every flawed that you’ve ever had or every flaw that you’ve ever displayed to be shaken in your face. You think about your children back home, your husband how he’s going to take it, and so those are also obstacles, it is not only the structural it is also the personal and how we traditionally play the political game.”
Anne Marie Williams says they hope to make the training an annual event.
