Jubilation reigned in the camp on Sunday night, when Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar emerged victorious in the United National Congress (UNC) internal elections. She etched her name in the annals of history as the first woman to head a major political party in T&T. Her victory was also celebrated by several prominent women and activists. Many noted the hurdles she had overcome, and said they had waited with bated breath to see how events would unfold. They all took the opportunity to congratulate Persad-Bissessar, whose labour in the vineyard eventually came to fruition. Persad-Bissessar now joins the ranks of other illustrious female politicians, such as Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, Eugenia Charles, Hilary Clinton, Dora Bridgemohan and Marilyn Gordon. Prominent UWI historian, Prof Bridget Brereton, said: "This victory opens up the political system. Therefore, it must be seen as positive, and creates opportunities for further movement in the politics of the country." Former PSA president, Jennifer Baptiste-Primus, said her strength lay in her campaign strategy.
"I am really ecstatically happy for my sister Kamla. She planned a sophisticated campaign; she did not allow herself to be sidetracked with the mud-slinging. "She went to the electorate with a plan, a plan that did not emerge from a tremendous victory for the one-man-one-vote system in the politics. "I see her victory as not just a victory for East Indian women, but for all women in T&T. Baptiste-Primus said Persad-Bissessar possessed the qualities of a true leader. "Undoubtedly, she will bring a different perspective. From gender perspective women, she will bring a different level of caring. "Despite what the naysayers say, I have no doubt she will be a good leader. I look forward to her being the first female Prime Minister. "It is not just a win for all women; she has made history." Baptiste-Primus said she had to rise to the challenge of carving her niche in the male-dominated world of politics. "She took the high road and she stayed there, and that is important." Echoing a prevailing sentiment, she said, "It would be interesting to see what emerges over the next couple of weeks."
"I want to expressly wish my sister Kamla all the best, and tell her she can call on me." Reverting to her historic win, the former PSA president said: "She has a charted the way forward for women in politics. It is dependent upon the ability of the person to deliver; how they are going to improve the quality of life. "She can do the job. I am confident. "Hard work is a normal part of a woman's framework. She is getting a lot of support from women out here. She is like a breath of fresh air to party politics." Dr Rhoda Reddock, professor of gender and development studies, said Persad-Bissessar demonstrated strongly that she had her own political base. "I think it's a historic development, and there are larger implications. The fact that she achieved this through an electoral process means she has her own political base. "It means it is something she worked towards and gained, and it provides her with a stronger base and a more autonomous (power of self-government) base." Dr Reddock said Persad-Bissessar's campaign elicited a great deal of interest among nationals. "We wait to see the future developments that would take place.
Put a woman
"With a woman in charge, you are bound to get a brand-new style of leadership; you are bound to get love coming over the country." (An excerpt from Put A Woman). Hazel Brown, co-ordinator of the Network of NGOs of T&T for the Advancement of Women, burst into song at Persad-Bissessar's victory. She said there was unbridled celebration in the Put A Woman camp–which comprised about 100 NGOs. Reflecting on the Put A Woman campaign, she said:
"We have been saying put a woman. The answer is now. Brown used the metaphor of a "big maco door" to describe Persad-Bissessar's feat. "Kamla's victory means we have to change the language of politics. Women are breaking through the ceiling, but when you get through to the roof, you realise there is galvanise. "She just break down one big massive maco door through which a lot of women will be able to pass." On a personal note, Brown said: "I don't feel words can describe how I felt. There is a God, but He doesn't sleep." Like the rest of the population, she was waiting for the final count.
"We have always said numbers count. I think those numbers will tell an enormous story," said Brown. Brown said Persad Bissessar's experience differed from that of Jamaica's Portia Simpson (fondly called Sister P), since massive numbers of women from various walks of life supported her bid for power. "When Portia Simpson won the elections, she was not able to carry through it. A lot of it had to do with the position that women in Jamaica took,"said Brown. "It was important for women to get a solid base of support from women within and out of the UNC, in order to win the elections. "We have been supporting her in all the ways we can." UWI lecturer at the Institute of Gender and Development Studies, Gabriele Hosein , said Persad-Bissessar's victory was necessary to address properly the country's internal issues. "I think it's incredibly well-deserved...It's hard-won and it signals an important change that needed to happen in the UNC.
"It signals the change which has the potential to benefit the national community, especially with issues like crime and the construction of the smelter. "I think it is a victory for women of all ethnicities, as well as a victory for the T&T population. It shows we are open to equality in the true sense of the word. "It shows a progressive state of mind among the men and women; including older men and women in the UNC and the Indo-Trinidad community." She noted that the victory represented "progressive gender values. "I think it is victory for a kind of political campaigning and movement building not based on values of war and the construction of our citizens of enemies," said Hosein. "It is a victory for a kind of politics that is about values of war and not making our citizens into enemies. "It is victory for a kind of politics that is cleaner, kinder and more focused on issues, and more capable of national unification," added Hosein, who was among panellists for CNC3's election coverage.
Deputy political leader of COP, Wendy Lee Yuen, said Kamla's victory demonstrated gender was not a barrier. "I just want to congratulate her. It augurs well for the future of politics that we could have a female leader who is well respected and recognised by her peers. "She has clearly demonstrated gender is not a barrier in politics. "Even in democratic processes, there can be snags, and the important thing is to remove as many undemocratic processes as possible, so every individual can make his or her choice." Lee Yuen also surmised that T&T was still in the infancy of politics. "Hopefully, we will mature rapidly and take the politics to the next level. The people have spoken, and they have spoken loudly." Musicologist Pat Bishop labelled Kamla's feat "a rarity." "I hope she does what she can do and good for her. I wish her well. It's a rare place for a woman to be. The glass ceiling is real. It's not a joke."
