Jamaican Women and the 2016 Election

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - February 27, 2016

After the vote

By Marcia Forbes, PhD
CJ Contributor

Not a Loser?

On Election Day February 25th when asked by a female reporter what if she lost, Jamaica’s female Prime Minister retorted, “Do I look like a loser?” No, PM Simpson-Miller did not lose her seat. In fact her victory margin of over ten thousand votes in 2011 grew by more than four hundred.

But yes, the Former PM was a “loser” as her party lost control of the Government of Jamaica. That brazen young reporter’s question is no doubt now ricocheting throughout the Former PM’s People’s National Party.  At 70 years of age Mrs. Simpson-Miller’s political future must be under consideration.

Twenty four (24) women entered the race to become parliamentarians – 13 on a PNP ticket and 11 for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Seven of the JLP women were winners. Only four of those from the PNP made it through. Those four had each won before and in 2011 had secured huge winning margins ranging from just over 2,000 to well over 10,000 votes. They each represented strong PNP constituencies.

In a previous article I had indicated that three of the 13 female PNP candidates did not stand a ghost of a chance, given the JLP stalwarts they were up against. Another four of those PNP women were listed among the 14 ‘battleground seats’, with three of them being newcomers. None of the four of them won.

Women Running Against Women

With three sets of women vying against women, two sets in battleground seats, it was inevitable that not all of the 24 female candidates could win. Incumbent Natalie Neita-Headley of the PNP was secure in her expected victory against newcomer Kerensia Morrison of the JLP. Neita-Headley in bedrock PNP St. Catherine North Central, had secured a 2,051 winning margin in 2011. This time her margin was reduced to 1,269.

Up in tourism capital, St. James West Central, second time aspirant, Marlene Malahoo-Forte of the JLP was in a race with PNP incumbent Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams. In 2011 former PM, PJ Patterson had stumped on Folkes-Abrahams’s behalf. This time former PM, Bruce Golding was doing the same for Malahoo-Forte. Marlene beat Ffolkes-Abrahams by 1,279 votes.

Then there was the epic showdown between Juliet Holness and Imani Duncan-Price. Juliet secured a win few expected and led by 690 votes in a constituency previously held by the PNP with a winning margin of 259 in 2011. She partly stopped the creation of a Duncan Dynasty in local politics. Rudyard Spencer of the JLP did the rest by trumping Imani’s sister Patricia by almost 1,000 votes.

Historic Husband & Wife Team

Perhaps the most noteworthy win for a woman in elections 2016 is that of Juliet Holness, wife of former Opposition Leader Andrew Holness, now newly Prime Minister designate. Not only did Juliet pull off what many regard as a David win over Goliath but, as the other half in the Holness’s matrimonial home, she has helped to create history in Jamaican politics.

Juliet, a highly respected accountant, has ably demonstrated her ability and capacity for hard work and political savvy. Will her efforts be rewarded?

The Caribbean has previously seen a husband and wife team in former PM Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Tobago and his wife Hazel. PM Manning appointed Hazel to the Senate and then to his Cabinet. Juliet Holness, having campaigned and won her seat in Parliament, is in a stronger position than Hazel Manning. Cries of nepotism aside, I would like to see this hard-working woman assigned a portfolio. Women can work and raise families and husbands, Prime Ministers included, must be expected to play their role.

A New Day for Women (and Young Men)

In general, women, both those representing the JLP and the PNP, can stand tall in the knowledge of their admirable performance in elections 2016. After all, today, Jamaica has eleven (11) female parliamentarians, about 17.5 percent of the 63 seats. So overall, women came out as winners in elections 2016.

Based on my checks, there has never been a time in Jamaica when so many women entered the race for parliament? And to be gender-neutral, was there ever a time when so many newcomers to representational politics ended up securing victory? Well done young politicians, females and males, you’ve signalled a new day not just for women but also for young men in the politics of Jamaica. Now go forth and be the change this country so badly needs.

Dr Marcia Forbes, a Caribbean Journal contributor, is a media specialist, the co-owner of multimedia production company Phase 3 Productions Ltd and Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Caribbean Institute of Media & Communication, University of the West Indies, Mona. She is the author of Music, Media & Adolescent Sexuality in Jamaica and the recently-released Streaming: Social Media, Mobile Lifestyles.

Popular Posts w punta cana

A New All-Inclusive W Hotel Is Opening This Year in Punta Cana 

The first-ever all-inclusive W Hotel in the Caribbean is opening this year in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The hotel, part of a broad expansion for parent company Marriott International, is on the list of expected 2024 […]


Why Grenada Is a New Caribbean Luxury Hotspot

beach house silversands

From its world-renowned chocolate to its pristine beaches to a region-leading focus on sustainability, Grenada is as fascinating and unique as destination as you’ll find in the Caribbean.  But in the last few years, the lush Eastern Caribberan island has […]


5 Adults-Only Resorts to Visit Right Now in the Caribbean 

galley bay

Sometimes you just want that extra degree of serenity, of privacy, of seclusion. There is a reason, after all, that adults-only resorts are booming in popularity, particularly in the Caribbean: travelers want to know that when they arrive, they know […]


Related Posts doctors cave beach with waves

Jamaica Adding New Automated Passport Kiosks

In a a bid to expedite processing at two of the Caribbean’s busiest airports, Jamaica is adding new automated passport control kiosks in Kingston and Montego Bay.  The new kiosks aim to “streamline passenger flow,” according to a statement from […]


The Cool List: the Coolest Hotels in the Caribbean for 2024

the cool list 2024

They’re different. They’re fun, they’re colorful, they’re unique. They’re themselves. The Caribbean has no shortage of cool hotels and in this, Caribbean Journal’s 12th annual Cool List, we highlight the places that hit you in a different way, that do […]


The 25 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean, from Adults-Only to Boutique

hammock cove in antigua

What is an all-inclusive resort? In recent years, the answer to that question has changed dramatically. Today, all-inclusive means a resort that is at the cutting edge of travel trends, one that is catering to the demands of a massive […]


SUBSCRIBE!

Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.


No. Thank You