Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

A YOUNG breed of politicians, and a standard bearer for women in Jamaican politics, believe that laws should be effected to allow for a certain proportion of the Senate to be made up of women and youths.

Jennifer Edwards, chair of the People's National Party (PNP) Women's Movement, told a Gleaner Editors' Forum on Friday that women must be better represented in politics. She also lamented the numerous barriers to entry.

Among the list of hurdles itemised by Edwards are the cost for contesting an election and the notion that women normally get tougher seats to run.

Raymond Pryce, chairman of the Patriots, the young professional arm of the PNP, said that while it may be difficult to dictate how many women and youth become a part of the Parliament in an elected capacity, laws could be put in place to ensure greater representation.

Area of transition

"The Upper House gives more latitude and, therefore, proportional representation that is reflective of the population, I think that is an area where you can transition towards it in terms of a formula being developed for women and youth to be represented," Pryce said.

The Senate, which has the power to pass laws, is made up of persons selected by the Government and the Opposition party, and has 21 members.

Amoy Bernard, deputy general secretary of Generation 2000, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) affiliate group, said she, too, believes provision should be put in place for women and youth to be proportionately represented in the Senate.

Bernard, like Edwards, also suggested that the State should remove the financing barrier of aspiring to political office by providing funding for candidates.

Last year, The Sunday Gleaner surveyed some 10 politicians and found that it cost between $8 million and $10 million to run a campaign for six weeks.

Females as equals

Bernard also said political parties must make "a concerted effort to support women's participation in representational politics".

PNP Youth Organisation President Andrew Okola said: "If we are really talking about equality in our society, our females must be there as equals and our young people must be there, proportionately, but also as equals."

Of the 21 members of the Senate who sat in the recently dissolved Parliament, only five were women.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com