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‘Real democracy includes women equality’- Charmaine Rosan-Bunbury

- praises VIP Congress for selecting 6 women candidates
Mrs Charmaine R. Rosan-Bunbury has expressed much gratitude to the Virgin Islands Party Congress for approving her and five other women to contest for seats in the House of Assembly at the June 8, 2015 General Election. Photo: VINO/File
The three female District Candidates on the Virgin Islands Party slate. Photo: VINO
The three female District Candidates on the Virgin Islands Party slate. Photo: VINO
Two of the three female Territorial At Large candidates on the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) slate. Photo: VINO
Two of the three female Territorial At Large candidates on the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) slate. Photo: VINO
VALLEY Virgin Gorda, VI – The composition of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) slate, which includes six (6) women, is a demonstration of the party’s recognition of the importance of the role of women in leadership and the need for some semblance of gender balance in the highest level of governance in the Virgin Islands (VI).

This is the view of Attorney-at-Law Mrs Charmaine R. Rosan-Bunbury who expressed much gratitude to the Virgin Islands Party Congress for approving her and five other women to contest for seats in the House of Assembly at the June 8, 2015 General Election. She was at the time speaking at the campaign launch of Mr Elton ‘All Out’ Sprauve on the sister island of Virgin Gorda on May 11, 2015.

“We have six women among us this evening, including myself. This is a historic moment that must be recognised and one that I am humbled and honoured to be a part of,” she said, adding that if they are elected to office it would be the first time in the history of the Virgin Islands that so many women would be sitting in the House of Assembly at the same time.

Highlighting the struggle of women in other parts of the world to be seen, heard and recognised, Mrs Rosan-Bunbury said, “We take this freedom for granted in the BVI but the role of women in a democracy is significant.”

Women and political rights

“The fight for full inclusion of women in the political arena is ongoing in the BVI. The time has come for it to become common place for women to head ministries and even be Premier. We have a wonderful leader now in our Chairman Mr Fraser, but the fight for full inclusion continues and I am depending on you Virgin Gorda to support the women of the Virgin Islands Party and the Virgin Islands Party team. Put the women of the Virgin Islands Party in the House of Assembly to articulate legislation and policy,” said Mrs Rosan-Bunbury.

She said research has shown that women outnumber men in the world but make up less than 20% of legislators and less than 5% of ministers in governments around the world. “We are still constrained by gender roles in the exercise of our political rights even in the most robust of democracies.”

The 6 pack

“I am heartened by the democratic process which I witnessed in the Virgin Island Party Congress held on May 6, 2015. The Virgin Islands Party Congress chose six women to give to you as representatives on the Virgin Islands Party slate. This speaks volumes of the Virgin Islands Party’s internal democracy and the way in which we intend to govern. We ask only for your support.”

“Real democracy is women equality. We are the backbone of society, from conception, to realisation, from the kitchen table to the work place. We are left to saddle the responsibility of caring and nurturing our children and family, with very little financial support,” said the former magistrate.

“We are left to master the art of Home Economics which carries the world. It’s only fitting that we play a greater role in policy making and national budget planning. The economic and social wellbeing of the BVI is in a precarious state. It requires strong leadership with sound judgment and sound economic policies to rescue our BVI from total disaster,” she said.

The other women on the VIP slate are candidate for the Fourth District, JoAnn R. Romney; candidate for the Fifth District, Zoe J. Walcott-McMillan; candidate for the Seventh District, Oleanvine Pickering-Maynard; and At Large candidates, Irene F. Penn-O'Neal and Sharie B. de Castro.

23 Responses to “‘Real democracy includes women equality’- Charmaine Rosan-Bunbury”

  • Six pack (19/05/2015, 17:46) Like (22) Dislike (38) Reply
    Love you all and I am voting for all the female at large- and Dr Dawson- go VIP ALL THE WAY
  • .... (19/05/2015, 18:00) Like (15) Dislike (21) Reply
    Bam bam bam
  • Yes (19/05/2015, 18:00) Like (37) Dislike (27) Reply
    U could never get my vote
  • Enough about women power (19/05/2015, 19:05) Like (28) Dislike (3) Reply
    I want to know your plans!
    • just maybe!! (19/05/2015, 21:34) Like (13) Dislike (15) Reply
      Maybe you should turn on your radio or even come out to some of the meetings instead of spitting out hot air. Schupes
  • vince (19/05/2015, 20:31) Like (33) Dislike (26) Reply
    Girl go sit down. You had a public battle with our Government over your ignorance and you think you will make it into HOA? Even Alvin will beat you at large. Get lost and go comb your rug head.
    • Sister Carol (20/05/2015, 00:08) Like (23) Dislike (9) Reply
      @Vince - Don't know sister Charmaine personally, but you Vince are one nasty, ugly, jealous person and evil too. Don't even know you, but by the comment you made about the sister hair. May you be covered.
    • Hmm (20/05/2015, 07:27) Like (3) Dislike (17) Reply
      With Hon. Christopher record of accomplishments territory wide, and resume of impacting numerous territorial infrastructure projects from dual carriage way to cruise pier expansion, I think he should be a very logical choice for an at-large representative.

      Just keeping it real
  • @LOL (19/05/2015, 20:39) Like (20) Dislike (33) Reply
    That's OK, she will get mine.
  • 123 (19/05/2015, 20:46) Like (16) Dislike (33) Reply
    the vip has the dream team
  • Women (19/05/2015, 21:51) Like (14) Dislike (13) Reply
    I look forward to placing my X next to 4 of these ladies. YESSSSS
  • please (19/05/2015, 22:03) Like (23) Dislike (10) Reply
    Stop playing the gender equality card, it has been played out. I am a woman and I will not vote for you just because you are a woman. So wheel and come again.
    • thank you (20/05/2015, 01:52) Like (10) Dislike (10) Reply
      Why does it have to be a "card" she is playing. If I say there needs to be more children in the church because they are our future, am I playing the child equality card? If I say there needs to be more men as educators, am I playing the male equality card? Women face double standards like these all the time especially in politics. When men do something it's acceptable but if a woman does it all of a sudden, she's being an anarchist/revolutionary.
    • black belt (20/05/2015, 05:52) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      U don't know ur gender yet u ingrate.
  • 456 (19/05/2015, 23:43) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    You right because its a dream dem ah dream
  • double standard (20/05/2015, 07:51) Like (14) Dislike (9) Reply
    I have not heard anyone accuse Myron of playing the youth card, he spend 3 1/2 years in government and the youths have not benefitted anything but it is ok for him to campaign on youth, this just go to show the gender disparity we have in this country, Charmaine was on point and I give her credit for being the voice of women in this campaign.
    • Old Ion (20/05/2015, 09:45) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply

      We must excuse M***, he is suffering from child Abuse, what his Father did to his Mother infront of him makes him the Islands biggest BULLY along with Bat Ears M**k.

    • TRUTH PLAYER (THE REAL TRUTH PLAYER) (20/05/2015, 16:08) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Agree. I think that it is a mistake for political candidates to focus on any one group. Every group should be considered. Each has a special set of concerns. Candidates seem to be silent on the issue of older people when around 10% of the population is 60 years or older.

  • Old Ion (20/05/2015, 09:35) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Vince your mouth is shooting more **** than a sewerage pipe. Shut up and go sit down.
  • street (20/05/2015, 10:02) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    These NDP RATS and VOUTURES of society, is the worst infestation of RODENTS and SCAVENGERS that ever sat in the HOA and hold the seat of power in this country, never again would it happen.
  • Sherry (20/05/2015, 17:56) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    there would be less pissing contests if there were more women. There would also be more team-playing and compromise.


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