Women push for change
Published:Sunday | December 18, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Several of the female candidates nominated to contest the December 29 general election have declared their commitment to improving the health and education sectors, fighting corruption and addressing other social needs.
The women made their declaration yesterday at a meet- the-media breakfast put on by the non-partisan Jamaica Women's Political Caucus in New Kingston.
"I have served in the belly of the Government and what I see is a need for parity. I am calling for proportionate funding in how constituency funds are allocated. It cannot be that constituencies of different sizes receive the same amount of money," said Joan Gordon Webley who is representing the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in East Rural St Andrew.
"I am a 31-year-old business woman who lives in North Central St Andrew where I see a lot of needs. I have a strong passion for education and development," declared Leanne Phillips who is seeking to take North Central St Andrew for the People's National Party (PNP).
push for transformation
National Democratic Movement (NDM) candidate in West Rural St Andrew, the Reverend Dr Joan Porteous, said she is determined to reduce the level of corruption and push for the transformation that Jamaica needs.
"The constituency development fund which is given to members of parliament must stop. It is an abuse of resources. There is hardly any accountability in politics," said Porteous.
"With 50.7 per cent of the population being women and so many females as heads of households, with women managing meagre finances and multitasking in order to send children to school, it is no wonder that in Jamaica people want to see more women in charge. In the past, I have sat on the wayside and criticised. Now, I hope I might be able to enact a little change," said Dr Saphire Longmore, the JLP representative in Eastern St Andrew.
"I call on women to pray so that the violence does not escalate," added Olivia 'Babsy' Grange as she pointed to the recent shooting of four persons in Spanish Town, St Catherine.
Grange is seeking to retain her seat on the JLP's ticket in Central St Catherine.
Twenty women have been nominated to contest the election with 13 on the JLP's ticket, five representing the PNP and two from the NDM.