Political opponents will debate which candidate is most suited to tackle socioeconomic concerns, including violence, poverty, inequality, and division—even those who have contributed to the discourse—to establish a brighter future.

It can be challenging for talented individuals to gain a place at the table. It isn’t because of what they know, but rather who they are.

Today, my opinion is a detached approach, reviewing a few female leaders in the region and unveiling hidden potential in a few voting boxes.

Several women have risen to the challenge since the colonial era, thereby ushering in a new era of leadership. However, since the few women I have chosen to highlight, several things have changed.

They have successfully cracked a few glass ceilings, but are they truly broken in the region and in other nations?

Shortly after a few successful women leaders lost re-election campaigns, many took advantage of the chance to blame them for their failures, rather than praising their accomplishments and adopting what experts saw as poor decisions on key matters.

They were excessively tough, held strong opinions, exhibited an attitude, and struggled to adapt to shifting demographics, thereby distancing themselves from the working class.

A list of notable women leaders from the Caribbean archives:

In recent decades, these women highlighted above have emerged from the shadows and pursued positions of greater responsibility. However, many of these women have unfortunately faced failure.

The lack of additional ceiling openings has made it difficult to conduct critical examinations of the reasons for their electoral losses.

Eugenia Charles holds the distinction of being the inaugural female prime minister of Dominica and represents the Caribbean’s first female lawyer.

All three candidates, Portia Simpson, Kamla Persad, and the late Eugenia Charles, lost their re-election bids. Instead of focusing on their political achievements, the situation led to more critical examinations of the reasons for their electoral losses.

Several historical reports show that even as leaders of their respective countries, Portia Simpson-Miller and Kamla Persad were subjected to unreasonable and cruel treatment by the press.

Political experts report that women faced pressure to achieve more with limited resources, including from peers and dictating men in the legislative-parliamentary system.

Frequently, individuals’ gender takes precedence over their abilities or commitment to public service. I am primarily concerned with identifying the best course of action for these nations moving forward, rather than dwelling on past mistakes.

As a side note, other women have served as prime ministers of the Netherlands Antilles, which includes Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten, and Bonaire, known as Dutch Caribbean colonies.

The hazy mirror continues to struggle with cleaning up the remnants of its past.

Leta Hong Fincher of CNN recently reported that a “United Nations and Inter-Parliamentary Union report highlighted that 10 of 152 elected heads of state were women, while men constituted 75 percent of parliamentarians, 73 percent of managerial decision-makers, and 76 percent of those in mainstream news media.”

Women have made significant contributions to the advancement of local political communities, although men often dominate these roles, whether as educators, nurses, police officers, or as the individuals who maintain family cohesion.

Despite the emergence of many outstanding female leaders across various societies, a considerable gap remains between gender equality and political advancement..

There are many barriers that still exist in our society, and while I am not qualified to speak on women’s issues, many have been documented and may continue to play a role today.

The question now remains: will she be pushed to the back for another male leader to emerge? Many may see her as best suited to capitalize on her beauty, but will that be enough to move the nation forward, especially as countless young women feel pushed to the back for another male leader to emerge?

Additionally, many may look up to her to use her position to create more safety, rights, and overall upward mobility. Many may see her as best suited to capitalize on her beauty, but will that be enough to move the nation forward, especially as countless young women feel pushed to the back for another male leader to emerge? Additionally, many may look up to her to use her position to create more safety, women’s rights, and overall upward mobility.

The room’s unspoken elephant:

He is not alone in facing such debates, as observed in other contexts (team Limite). With demographics shifting towards younger voters, many potential voters might feel it is time to transfer power to a new generation.

Can he or other leaders in the region, instantly remove the barriers that women frequently face in politics—barriers created over a decade by a colonial and slavery mentality that only a few people can overcome?

Most importantly, can he use his abilities and skills to capture the imagination of young voters and persuade them to change course or continue to steer this political ship into an iceberg?

To illustrate, an elephant symbolizes the presence of political and leadership issues worldwide, including in Jamaica. Even though her political views may accord with the majority, her time to lead tends to be uncertain.

In the eyes of many Jamaicans, Lisa Hanna has a better chance of delivering a clear decision concerning the country’s future than any other candidate, regardless of party affiliation.

The question of whether the Honorable Dr. Phillips will hand over his power to her or another comrade after decades in office has sparked controversy.

Is she or any other comrade able to put pressure on the Honorable Dr. Phillips, leader of the People’s National Party (PNP) to hand over power?

It would also serve as an inspiration for future generations of young women, encouraging them to participate in politics and pass legislation that safeguard and better their futures.

Will she succeed Dr. Peter Phillips’ as Leader of the Opposition remain an open question?

Unfortunately, I am not a political expert or a voter, but based on my observations, it appears that when the PNP ship sinks in the next election, the current leadership will also go down with it.

Part II

What is the next step in the search for the next woman leader?

There was minimal discussion of veiled sexism or misogynistic views. I said before that I am not an expert on women’s upward mobility; they know what is best for them and where they can excel in society.

It is critical to identify and emphasize the subtle or minimal discussions surrounding hidden sexism and misogynistic viewpoints.

While balancing their respective responsibilities can be challenging, having a group of next-level women players on the bench who are willing to step in and handle the political game is equally important.

Often, by the time she assumes leadership, the outcome undergoes significant changes.

Every election should unquestionably focus on the next generation, with rigorous debates that appropriately balance voters’ legitimate concerns and interests with their economic future.

The gradual rise of populism in the Caribbean, particularly today, has never been successful. It almost always results in obvious personal financial gains for many elected officials.

Unfortunately, Lisa’s experience has paralleled others in modern politics—difficulties, setbacks, a few wins, and more barriers. The glass ceiling remains mainly intact, despite a few cracks.

It also provides in-depth understanding of the root causes of the shortage of women in leadership roles, both locally and internationally.

A delicate balancing act

Again, I’m not an expert on women’s politics, but although more women are running for office in the region, it appears that the men in charge are still in charge.

A sizable contingent of supporters or women at the table does not always result in legislative victories.

Clinging to power, on the other hand, breeds division, disconnect, and a stalemate of new ideas for advancement in paving the way for the next generation of female leaders.

To bridge the gap between the wealthy and the poor, it is crucial to develop a comprehensive strategy that addresses women’s issues, safety, abuse, and criminal activity, like attracting new investments, to promote economic growth.

This strategy is particularly important given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, stagnant economic conditions, and high levels of unemployment.

Some politicians will push back to seem aware of these issues and even attend church for a day before an election, which I understand; however, after the sermons on change, it seems they are still referencing the same scriptures.

If the regional legislative system requires future female leaders to win the approval of men in order to ascend to the top, this is problematic.

Will the elephants vacate the room so that other well-qualified female leaders can become the party’s commander and be elected as the next prime minister?

The revolving door of leadership:

Considering the current political climate, this assessment is not excessively severe. Many political leaders utilize appointed positions to showcase their commitment to diversity. However, once elected, they tend to govern in a manner reminiscent of the old boys’ system.

Being a competent leader is all about maintaining a stable environment and understanding that, as a passenger, you may benefit from your years of road experience rather than trying to drive while distracted by personal requirements.

We need more women in politics, especially to serve as role models for adolescent girls who need better education, job opportunities, healthcare, and security.

These communities must begin to prioritize what is best for their country over short-term personal benefit.

Many people believe in “democracy,” yet in an oligarchy system in which leaders choose who they believe their society will recognize based on an emotional connection but are completely disconnected from the reality of the community’s needs.

This allows the elected leaders to gain more control over their personal power while pretending to be working for the community at all times.

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It’s no different from sending Mother’s Day tweets to constituents; while a nice gesture, it lacks a comprehensive economic strategy to lift young women out of poverty. This includes protection, victim rights, and resources to ensure their safety and the well-being of their families.

Distributing a few shopping bags to those in need is certainly beneficial, but when combined with a camera and a 30-second film for social media, it borders on exploitation.

Although this approach may boost voter turnout and aid in preparation for the next election cycle, addressing long-term economic mobility remains crucial in these divided neighborhoods.

Taking a stand in the face of reality.

PART III

Numerous studies have proven that men are notoriously poor at apologizing for their mistakes.

To overcome these barriers, more leaders must coach and encourage the next generation to lead. Young people in the region must believe that they have the potential to become the region’s leaders.

Approximately half of women in the workforce today have an undergraduate degree, matching the number of men with a college education according to Pew’s analysis and academic research.

The next generation of leaders in the region must understand that hope still exists for them.

This statement does not serve as a final appeal for men to relinquish their positions of authority. Even if the issue is not immediately visible, it still exists.

Given the complexity of the global economy, it is reasonable to consider a candidate’s intellectual and physical capacity to lead a country in distress. However, under the current circumstances, I believe that if she is equipped, she should have a fair opportunity.

This can be accomplished, as demonstrated in another area where the slave ship anchored nearby.

Reports say she put the interests of her country ahead of personal gain, mismanagement, and corruption.

Hope does exist, but its realization will require more than just the efforts of Prime Minister Mottley. As noted, to ensure the development of the next generation of players, it is crucial for the team to have a group of reserves readily available, rather than waiting until the season is over to rebuild.

Furthermore, there are other women all over the world who are inspiring others, breaking down barriers, and forging their own paths, particularly in poor and developing countries.

While not all women share the same approaches, political methods, experience-based values, religious, cultural, or other views, the drive for socioeconomic equality, upward mobility, and gender equity remains, as various scientists have underlined.

I don’t have a ballot, and I’m abstaining from voting. A female candidate should not lose an election just because she is female or because she is competing against a male candidate; similarly, a male candidate should not lose an election simply because he is running against a female candidate.