Women's coalition congratulates Simpson Miller on recent election victory

... Renews call for gender issues to be given priority

Monday, January 02, 2012

The 51% Coalition has congratulated Prime Minister designate Portia Simpson Miller and her People's National Party (PNP) on their resounding victory attained in the recent national elections while renewing its call for gender issues to be made a top priority in the coming months.

"We share in the satisfaction that Mrs Simpson Miller, Jamaica's first female prime minister, has now secured her own mandate from the Jamaican people based on a platform that spoke of putting people at the centre of development," said the group, which is leading the empowerment and development through (gender) equity campaign, in a release to the media.

"We also share her hope that this victory will signal a new and critical path towards sustainable human development in Jamaica. We are heartened by the commitment she has expressed to work in an inclusive and consultative manner with all sectors, including civil society, to address all the major challenges that our nation faces," the group added.

At the same time, the group reiterated its call for gender issues to be given national priority, as detailed in their letter dated December 19, 2011 that was sent to both the PNP leader and Andrew Holness, leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, in the run-up to the elections.

In it, the group urged that "the principles of gender equality and women's empowerment be firmly placed, once and for all, at the heart of our national development principles and strategies".

"The 51% Coalition also made specific proposals which included the recommendation that appointments to the Senate and to boards and commissions should be done on the principle that these bodies should have a quota of no less than 40 per cent or no more than 60 per cent of either sex as members," they noted.

"This principle of gender equity is fundamental to bring to life the commitment to participation, accountability and responsibility that the PNP has promoted," the coalition added.

Meanwhile, the group — a network of 10 organisations and individuals working to promote gender equality and women's issues — said that they were committed to supporting "these and other efforts to improve governance and transform economic and social life as well as to monitor implementation of gender equality targets".

Launched in November 2011, the coalition has on its list of objectives quotas for women in decision-making positions — especially in the areas of governance and corporate representation.

Do you feel buying into Facebook now is a good investment for the long-run?
	Yes
	No

View Results
Results published weekly in Sunday Finance

Username:
Password:

Teen killed for laughing at man who fell from bicycle

Women's coalition congratulates Simpson Miller on recent election victory