NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Officials and organizations in the country are calling the lack of female representation in Cabinet extremely disappointing and gravely concerning following the resignation of former Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle, who was the only woman in Cabinet.
Rolle resigned from the position on Tuesday, though the reason remains unclear.
Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis will now fill the post of minister of youth, sports and culture, while the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction remains under the portfolio of the Office of the Prime Minister.
Senator Lisa Bostwick-Dean noted that while she understands the current situation with the Minnis administration, she remains deeply concerned.
“Of course, as a woman, I am concerned about the lack of a female presence at Cabinet, deeply concerned, and I hope it is a matter that can be addressed,” Bostwick-Dean said, as she debunked rumors that she would receive the FNM (Free National Movement) nomination for the Seabreeze constituency.
“But I do understand the challenges with that decision as there are not many women in the lower house and indeed there is no room for someone in this House to become a seated Cabinet minister.
“…So, I understand the challenge, but I would be remiss not to state my deep concerns about the matter and I certainly hope that it is a matter that there can be some solution to, if not now, then when the FNM returns to governance.”
Meanwhile, Senator Ranard Henfield noted the government still has more work to do to advance the rights of women and girls.
“After all the agitating for women and girls, after all the promises to do with women and girls, we had one and now we have none,” he said.
There are five women serving in the House of Assembly, while men make up the remaining 34 parliamentarians.
The Caribbean Women in Leadership Bahamas Chapter also opined on the issue.
“CIWiL is extremely disappointed that the government did not ensure that the small percentage of women representation in Parliament and Cabinet, being 13 percent and six percent respectively, was not further deteriorated,” the organization said in a press release.
“By not replacing former minister Rolle with another woman, the Cabinet of The Bahamas is without representation of fully one half of the electorate.
“This is extremely unbalanced and concerning, especially in these times of enlightenment when it is not only clear worldwide but also mandated by the many international conventions to which the government is a party.”
The organization urged the prime minister to assess and monitor his party’s obligation, commitment and promise to the Bahamian people to increase the representation of women in parliamentary and Cabinet leadership and encouraged all political parties to do the same in light of the pending general election.
“CIWiL calls on the government of The Bahamas to not further disenfranchise the women and girls of The Bahamas by lessening our representation to naught, at the highest seat of decision-making in the country,” the group stated.
“We absolutely have earned and deserve a place at the table.”
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