More women needed in BVI government
Political activist and media owner Cindy Rosan says the BVI could benefit from having more women in government, arguing that the territory is at a stage where it needs nurturing and balanced leadership to address some of its most pressing challenges.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Too Inquisitive podcast, Rosan said while she does not believe an all-female political party is necessary, a “female-heavy government” could provide the type of maturity and emotional intelligence needed to move the BVI forward.
“Professional, mature, and emotionally intelligent women can dislike each other, but they’re going to sit in a room and get the job done,” Rosan said. “I find, however, that men – who are not supposed to be catty – are just doing a lot. Grandstanding, the egos are getting in the way. So I think the world in general is in a place where we can benefit more from women.”
She argued that women tend to approach governance with a broader and more compassionate perspective, focusing not only on infrastructure and development, but also on family, children, and social welfare.
“Men think a lot about building. Women think about the whole picture, because we’re homemakers and nurturers,” Rosan added. “ We’re nurturers, and I think the BVI is in a place where we need to be nurtured back to health.”
Her comments come amid growing public concern about issues such as the high cost of living, youth unemployment, slow recovery from natural disasters, and a general call for more accountability in government. The podcast host agreed, noting that countries with female leaders, such as Barbados and New Zealand, have often been praised for their strong governance and focus on citizen well-being.
Rosan’s remarks also come at a time when the three women in the Virgin Islands government are making significant contributions across key sectors. Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Luce Hodge Smith continues to make significant contributions in the areas of Virgin islands history, literature and cultural festivals.
Lorna Smith, Junior Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, is a staunch advocate for the financial services industry and has also spearheaded the increase in the territory’s minimum wage.
Education Minister Sharie de Castro has introduced several reforms aimed at transforming learning outcomes for young people. Her initiatives include expanding STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) programmes across schools, introducing robotics and coding into the curriculum, and improving digital literacy among students. De Castro has also led major infrastructure upgrades to school buildings, advocated for improved classroom resources, and worked to enhance teacher development and student support services.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Assembly Corine George-Massicote — although not an elected representative — has also been widely praised by elected leaders for her steady hand and professionalism in presiding over House of Assembly proceedings. Many have described her as one of the best Speakers the House has seen, commending her fairness, composure, and firm enforcement of decorum in the legislative chamber.
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These three are not it though. What we need in government is competent, compassionate and inspiring leadership. We need these qualities in those we elect regardless of gender. Just saying we need more women is short sighted. District 4 has a woman and it is endless complaints about her. Lorna has shown her colours that a woman could be just as power hungry and deceitful as a man could be. Sharie is a victimizing, controlling person who is isn’t very good at her job either. We need people who could lead regardless of their genital parts.
These three are less than mediocre, especially the arrogant imp.
Men are no better than women and women are no better than men. Sure more women could make up the legislature but they have to be democratically elected. That’s how democracy works. And when the VI was at its peak, it was a man in charge, just saying.
Yea right
Ms. Rosan, one day you’re bringing Lorna Smith to Sawonde to help him form the government, the next you’re criticizing her, and now it seems you want to applaud her simply for being a woman, despite her failed attempt at politics. Let’s be honest—Lorna oversees several key areas of government, which effectively makes her the de facto Premier, while Nathalio is leads by adversity (whatever that means), surrounded by a million consultants—including Lorna herself as Junior Minister. Now he wants even more junior ministers to do his work so he can spend more time traveling the world, lobbying CARICOM to act as a go-between with the United Nations to push for independence—just so he and his cronies can rule over us like dictators.
Neither Lorna, Sharie, nor Luce fits the definition of distinguished women. They lack empathy, display arrogance, and look down on others. Worse yet, they seem to resent seeing people in the BVI succeed.
What this country truly needs are leaders like Roosevelt Skerrit and his wife—people who treat all citizens, including the mentally and physically challenged, with respect and who work to improve the quality of life for everyone in their nation.
Your dare mention the dictator Roosevelt skerrit? You must be a Dominican or you don’t read how he just call in the regional security force to tear gas his people, and sells the passport and pocket most of the monies, and it’s diplomatic passport to drug Lords
Why her moo moo rash don’t run then?
How will that tell us where the $5million went?
We need leaders.
Not theives.
NO NOT ONE.
So, in a country where there’s more women than men, only three, can garner leadership, eh?
It’s obviously clear that women, DO NOT WANT, women to lead!
The real challenge, then, is to encourage women, to vote for more women, for leadership roles!
One of Guyana’s Prolific Journalist once wrote in the Kaieteur Newspaper and I Quote:
The Ship of Good Men and Women has Sunk Offshore.
A New Ship Has Docked and it consists Mostly of Hypocrites. (Scoundrels)
The fact is, unlike other parts of the world, women here do not have political leadership confidence in their women population as with men.
It is when women with genuine political qualities come forth, get elected, and produce tangible results, instead of personal monetary agendas, will there be any genuine shift by women into politics.
The crucial ingredients of political maturity are political education, political experience and expertise, political acumen and political hygiene, none of which exist in the our current elected representatives.
Nahh
Current ones haven’t been talking much or doing good especially ms Lorna in yah bank of Asia corner…
Diversity is normally a good thing.
But goodness me. The women in our government are fraudulent and just terrible. Less of these types please.
Its not the more that matter its the quality that matters, these three cannot add up to one brave, courageous, unselfish, country 1st lady, they all took the greedy bill package and the huge increases with a smile, Money lovers, not one stood up and say count me out or I am going to donate mine into getting Schools A/Cs and supplies in this extra hot weather
I find this article sexist and biased. BVI needs principled and intelligent leadership, and neither gender has a lock on these beatitudes. Women can make fine leaders but not BECAUSE they are women — or men for that matter. When we look at all of BVI how many of us really put the interests of the whole community over our personal needs? Maybe we could all look in a mirror.
What the BVI really needs is less political polarization, fewer “political advisors,” less self-interest and the stronger sense of community that existed here decades ago. Too much exploitation by billionaires and by locals, and too little concern for what we are leaving for our children.
It should say in the headline “ More Indigenous BVI women need in politics. Because the simple fact the others are shut out of it.