New Female Chairpersons for Two Major Political Parties

Hon Marcella Liburd

Ms. Cyndie Demming

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, 30th May 2013: No longer can it be said that politics is a man’s game. The recent election of female chairpersons in two of the Nation’s political parties signaled a narrowing of the gender gap in the political landscape. While, women have always been active in politics as party supporters and in the forefront organizing political events, campaigning and fundraising, women in position of political leadership were the exception rather than the rule.

The Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs applauds both the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party and the Peoples Action Movement for their show of confidence in the ability of two of their brightest and leading stars, to pilot the way forward for the parties.

Hon Marcella Liburd, the newly elected Chairperson of the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party and the sole female parliamentarian, is known and respected for her tenacity, strength and most importantly her compassionate nature. Helping the Labour Party secure its victory in 2010, and placed at the realm of the Ministry of Health, Social Services, Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, the minister continues to push for policies and programmes that lead to equal rights and ensure the well being of all citizens in the Federation.

Similarly, Ms. Cyndie Demming, the Chairperson for the People’s Action Movement continues to be a role model for many girls and women. Assertive, forthright, ambitious and efficient Ms. Demming, refuses to be a mere bystander. Ms. Demming has demonstrated her love for country through community activism and her involvement in a number of other organizations. A graduate of the Department of Gender’s Leadership and Democracy Course and a member of the National Council of Women, Ms. Demming has demonstrated that she not only ‘talks the talk’.

The Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs congratulates Hon Marcella Liburd and Cyndie Demming. We encourage the new chairpersons to create a culture where political parties can debate issues and differing philosophies rather than personalities and where the best interest of the country counts for more than popularity and votes.