The journey to women's equality in Grenada just got a little closer after Thursday and Friday of last week. The organization I work for, Grenada National Organization of Women, has been lobbying for a cohesive group of former and present women politicians to come together and commit to fighting for women's issues, regardless of political party. That finally happened.
To begin to understand the magnitude of what is happening with the Women's Parliamentary Caucus, you must first grasp the deep political tension that lies between political parties in Grenada. Imagine not being able to attend an event because its hosted by the opposite party, never sitting in the same room as the opposition or refusing to wear the color of the opposing side. Politics is a hot topic here and something its people will live and die for. If you are NNP (New National Party), you will never wear a yellow shirt. If you are NDC (National Democratic Congress), the color green makes your eyes hurt. People are passionate about their party, and their group of friends revolve around the same ideologies.
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| Past and Present Politicians |
The forming of the Women's Parliamentary Caucus is a monumental step for not only women, but politics in general. For the first time in the history of Grenada, and maybe even the region, women politicians are committed to sitting around the same table talking issues that affect the women of our country. Respect and honesty are established principals in the meetings of opposing parties and have made for a productive and real discussion on issues rather than parties. I have never been so inspired to see NDC and NNP members sitting right next to each other at the table, sharing laughs and agreeing on the future of women. I heard from one past parliamentarian that:
"I have never felt so much excitement to be sitting next to someone who bashed me publicly for so many years, yet we are both so determined to mend those wounds and move forward for women's equality in the country we both so deeply love."
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| Current Minister of Social Development on the right, joking with a leader of the opposing party. |
This workshop let the women come together and focus on ways to influence their political parties into pushing for women's equality, job equity and bipartisanship. It was shocking to hear some of these politicians speak of the discrimination from the men in their own political party and how they have been used as status symbols for so many years. They were given the opportunity to share stories, methods and give honest feedback on ways to bridge the gap between genders and focus on the issues affecting us all.
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| Speaking on the power of women and how we can productively use it to change our society. |
These women, regardless of political affiliation, committed to working together to stand up for their rights as women and continue moving forward. That in itself, is one of the greatest things I have been given the opportunity to take part in here in Grenada.
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| NDC, NNP....it didn't matter. |
