‘Real democracy includes women equality’- Charmaine Rosan-Bunbury
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”
Just keeping it real
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.