Editorial

In this edition CAFRA is paying attention to women in politics. It is certainly not miraculous that we do so. After all, one of CAFRA’s goals is that women have to become visible in political functions. In the first place we see that there is still inequality of power relations between men and women that has its reflection in politics. Though we see that all over the Caribbean women are moving forward into politics, we still observe that women are underrepresented. That fact alone justifies women going into politics.

In the second place we also want them to be our voice. For so many years men have used their political power to preserve the inequality of power relations between men and women. It is certainly not too much to ask for our women politicians to stand guardian for women’s rights.

Some women have been evaluating the role of women in politics and already expressed their disappointments. Somehow most of these female politicians do not meet our expectations. Why is that? Is it because there are not enough women inside the political arena to fight the internal battle against the traditional old political culture which does not allow women into politics and which is a culture that lacks good governance? Is it easier for these women to go along with the old political culture? Was it perhaps never their idea to change political power dynamic, but just to build a political career? Or do we expect too much from these women? We do not have all the answers yet. Still we are proud of women who have the courage to step into politics and fight these battles.

Women with a vision who are developing strategies aimed at improving the life of women and men.

I hope that all women who are preparing themselves for a political career and the ones, who are already in politics, have a mission of which the development of women is an integral part. We must never forget, that once we do not have the position of power anymore and we are back down amongst the people, we also will become victims of the policies we ourselves have outlined.

Carla Bakboord Deputy Chair CAFRA