The Power of Women in Politics: Time for Bold Change

The Power of Women in Politics: Time for Bold Change

Kieron Murdoch’s recent article on the gender gap in Antiguan politics highlights a glaring truth: women’s voices are missing where they matter most—in Parliament and political leadership. This isn’t just about fairness; it’s about unlocking the transformative power of women’s leadership.

Women are natural leaders. Every day, they manage households, finances, and community well-being with skill, compassion, and strategy. They solve problems, prioritize needs, and adapt to change—skills that directly translate into effective political leadership. Issues like education, healthcare, and economic stability are lived realities for women, making them uniquely qualified to lead with insight and purpose.

Yet, women in politics face constant scrutiny. Their appearance, tone, and behavior are critiqued far more harshly than men’s. While men are allowed to “learn on the job,” women are expected to be perfect from day one. Despite this, women persevere—balancing family, career, and service with a quiet strength that speaks volumes. Their resilience is the very definition of leadership.

But too often, political parties sideline women, relegating them to supporting roles while men take the spotlight. Ironically, these same men rely on women to drive their campaigns, craft their strategies, and build public trust. It’s time to flip that script.

Antigua and Barbuda is at a crossroads. The old ways of male-dominated governance are not working. We need leaders who understand the realities of everyday people—leaders with empathy, vision, and action. Women have been ready. Now it’s time for the system to catch up.

The excuses are tired. Claims that “certain groups won’t vote for women” have been used to block capable female candidates, even as those same groups admire strong, competent women in other spaces. The truth is clear: women are not just capable of leadership—they have been leading from the background for far too long.

We need to break free from the cycle of tokenism, where women are given titles but not power. The future demands more. True progress requires us to center women in positions of real authority—not as figureheads, but as decision-makers shaping the nation’s future.

Women don’t just belong in the political arena—they are essential to its success. Their leadership is bold, inclusive, and forward-thinking. If we want real progress, we must demand their presence at every decision-making table.

The future of politics is female. And the future starts now.

Jermaine N. Edwards
Community Advocate, St. John’s Rural South

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