By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A HISTORIAN has criticised the lack of women in politics in The Bahamas and is calling for greater efforts to encourage more into leadership roles.

Dr Crystal deGregory said while some progress has been made, it falls far short especially since women make up half of the country’s population.

“Today, only seven women serve of the 39 seats in the House of Assembly. There is no national quota to help correct this,” she said.

While speaking at the FNM Grand Bahama Women’s Association monthly meeting on Thursday, Dr deGregory urged Bahamian women to be bold, intentional, and unapologetic in exercising their political power, not just as voters, but as leaders, decision-makers, and advocates for one another.

She said international observers from the United Nations and other international equal rights organisations have taken notice of the disparity when it comes to women in politics.

“They say our progress is too slow, that social expectations and campaign financing leave women behind and that we must do far more to mentor, finance and support women in leadership,” she said.

Dr deGregory reminded attendees that women fall woefully short in the nation’s power structure.

“Advocates for women’s equality and equity have sounded the alarm and pointed out that while women are 50 percent of this nation, we are nowhere near 50 percent of the people who make decisions about it,” she said.

She also challenged the FNM to reflect on its own commitment to gender equity. “We have to build bridges across party lines. We have to train, support and elevate each other because while the FNM can claim to be progressive generally, when it comes to women even it has a ways to go.”

Reflecting on trailblazing women such as Carolyn Miller, Anita Doherty, Janet Bostwick, and Italia Johnson, Dr deGregory emphasized the importance of legacy and mentorship. “Are we doing enough? Are we seeing the Carolyn Millers? Are we mentoring the next Anita Dohertys? Are we listening to the girls who are hungry for opportunity, for a way in?”

She also touched on deeper cultural attitudes toward women, including how even some women uphold patriarchal norms that restrict progress of women.

“There are still women who are deeply invested in patriarchy, in man-order society. They want some things but don’t want all of the things for themselves and for others. And that is where the problem comes in. You doing all the work but you don’t want the credit. You don’t want the fruits of labour and you are working yourself to death only to get the middle, which is not a good use of time and energy.”

She questioned the nation’s reluctance to celebrate female icons with the same reverence shown to men, including being represented on bank notes. “When are we going to put a woman on a bill?” she asked. She mentioned Dame Doris Johnson and Dame Janet Bostwick as two deserving women who could be honoured in such a way.

Dr deGregory said: “We need to have conversations. We are stronger and better together. We must continue to interrogate people who are our leaders. We cannot let them off no matter what colour shirt they wear or what box they tick; you have to hold people accountable.

“These answers will shape not only our party, but also our leadership because while women answer with the vote, we also answer with how we treat other girls and women, and what we say and what we do and how we make each other feel.”

She took exception to the fact that Bahamians living in the US or abroad are unable to vote, calling it a limiting and outdated mindset. “We have this idea that if you don’t live here, you can’t contribute; that is such a small and oppressive belief,” she said.

Dr deGregory is an associate professor of history and the founding director of the Mary McLeod Bethune Institute for the Study of Women and Girls at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida.