Wanted: Equal political representation - Women's Rights are human rights

Flair continues its series on women's rights as discussed by the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and presented in the booklet 'CEDAW for Jamaicans'.

Women are 51 per cent of the population in Jamaica and are most active in the organisation and work of our political parties, but only hold eight of the 60 seats (13 per cent) in the House of Representatives and 26 of the 227 seats (15.8 per cent) in the parish councils. Social, cultural, economic and political barriers keep women from equal power sharing with men in the society.

Women have the RIGHT to equal participation in power and decision-making at all levels and in all areas of society and to take part equally with men in government and leadership.

This is an excerpt from an article published in the Jamaica Gleaner on Monday, April 7, 2008. You can read the entire article at the Jamaica Gleaner website.