As Caribbean governments continue their focus on the eradication of direct and indirect forms of discrimination against women through legislative reforms and the enactment of gender sensitive social policies, the achievements of Mary Eugenia Charles, grand dame of the Caribbean come to light.
While the accomplishments and contributions of Mary Eugenia Charles to Caribbean politics are widely discussed in the scholarly and popular literature of universities and political arenas; it is also sometimes argued with much speculation, controversy, admiration and hatred.
However, Eugenia Charles confronts Dominica and the Caribbean with the picture of a woman attributed with the enigma of power in a patriarchal society. Her leadership challenges the traditional belief of the inferiority of women and the authority and supremacy of men in the male-dominated sphere of politics in the Caribbean.
According to the Journal of Caribbean International Relations, “Dame Mary Eugenia Charles championed the cause of gender equality long before it became commercially fashionable. As a feminist, Eugenia Charles evoked the burning issues of the rule of law, and the rights of the individual in society.” Yet, her relentless demands for equal rights, social justice, and the end of sex discrimination still does not guarantee women in Dominica and the Caribbean autonomy and freedom in the determination of their lives.
At a time when the human rights of women have been in many aspects undermined by ideals of masculine character and by historical disparities in the decision-making process, women in Dominica and the Caribbean should take strength in the strong symbol that has developed around the image of Dame Mary Eugenia Charles in the international arena.
Despite being president of the international federation of women lawyers, occupational segregation in gender-based wage gaps in the Caribbean still registers women as subjects of discriminatory stereotyping. Women in the Caribbean still lack promotional rights, free from job discrimination as social and legal institutions do not pledge equality in employment and earning and social and political participation.
It is against the drapery of such concepts that the distinctions between women as political leaders and gender inequality in the Caribbean are mirrored. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) documents that “despite higher levels of education, Caribbean women continue to cluster at the lower sectors of society in terms employment, wages, and political representation, making them vulnerable to poverty and gender-based violence and harassment.”
The role of women in political leadership in the Caribbean questions the meaning of democracy and citizenship and awakens the need for a more inclusive style of governance and politics. The roles that men and women play in society are not biologically determined and it is time to stop using biology as a metaphor for interpreting reality or other socio-cultural traditions and beliefs about a woman’s place in the family and society.
While critics advance the view that gender equality has been achieved within the Caribbean community and it is boys and men who are now disadvantaged; gender inequality in the Caribbean still constrains the lives of women and is still a significant challenge despite important law reform efforts. Women’s level of participation in senior political positions remains extremely limited and violates their fundamental human rights.
Against the backdrop of this view, the need for structural reform, redefinition of power and a re-negotiation of our understanding of the practice of leadership becomes an urgent plea. The need to increase women’s participation in politics and decision making is a valid goal especially at a time when attempts of developing Caribbean nationhood and identity are smothered by dependence on male constructs and standards. The Commission on the Status of Women further affirms that “women form at least half of the electorate in most Caribbean states, yet they continue to be underrepresented as candidates for public office.”
The male dominated social system in the Caribbean has excluded and been hostile to female participation in the political arena. According to the ECLAC study, female participation in the politics of the Caribbean is about 20 percent overall. In the English-speaking Caribbean, the average participation of women in Parliament averages 13.5 percent, varying from 7 to 25 percent. This means that recognition of the importance of women in reconstruction and the role and discipline of political parties in the Caribbean needs to be addressed because women’s empowerment in the Caribbean is vital to sustainable development and the realization of human rights for all.
If reducing gender inequality is essential to increasing women’s economic security, defeating poverty and fostering sustainable development and growth, then Caribbean governments should show greater efforts in advocating for legislation to advance gender equality, to eliminate all forms of discrimination based on sex, and to prevent gender-based violence and increase. The education system and the media should also stop upholding the patriarchal orientation of society as well as the epitomes of male supremacy.
Dame Mary Eugenia Charles will forever remain a strong symbol for years to come as a woman who challenged culture, structures of oppression, and gender inequality in the Caribbean. Her legacy of equality and accelerating human rights for women provide a firmer foundation for social and economic development and security and new approaches to leadership in Dominica and the Caribbean.
Rebecca Theodore was born on the north coast of the Caribbean island of Dominica and resides in Toronto, Canada. She writes on national security and political issues and can be reached at [email protected]
August 1990 I was at the Toronto International Airport and when I told a gentleman I was a Dominican,he quickly asked “Is it the country madam Charles is the leader”? He was excited.
She encouraged personal responsibility,not relying on government hand outs
i wonder where the roots /main architect /initiator/ facilitator of the Layou River bobol lies?Ask the historian.
PERSONALLY I THINK WE SHOULD DIG UP THE BONES OF MAMO AND PUT THEM IN THE FINANCIAL CENTER TO RUN THE COUNTRY… WITH RESPIRATORS OF COURSE.
SHE WAS A WOMAN OF STANDARDS AND PRINCIPLE AND MORALITY.
Mamo should have married and have children, she would have been a better example. A woman who is married, has children, obeys her husband, educates the next generation, worships Allah alone without any intermediaries is a far superior woman that this “Iron Lady.”
Mamo was a staunch Catholic, she violated the principles of her own church. Let us see what your bible says about women in church.
New International Version 1 Corinthians 14:34: Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.
1 Corinthians 14:35 “If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.”
Let’s look at the commentary on the verse according to Barnes
Let your women keep silence … – This rule is positive, explicit, and universal. There is no ambiguity in the expressions; and there can be no difference of opinion, one would suppose, in regard to their meaning. The sense evidently is, that in all those things which he had specified, the women were to keep silence; they were to take no part. He had discoursed of speaking foreign languages, and of prophecy; and the evident sense is, that in regard to all these they were to keep silence, or were not to engage in them. These pertained solely to the male portion of the congregation. These things constituted the business of the public teaching; and in this the female part of the congregation were to be silent. “They were not to teach the people, nor were they to interrupt those who were speaking” – Rosenmuller.
Oh my Lord, Eugenia Charles is doomed according to the bible
If Mamo wasn’t allowed to speak in church in other words, she had to shut her mouth, what makes you gullible people believe she had the right to rule this country? There were no blessings from this rule because blessings come from Allah who is the supreme lawgiver and when He legislates one has to obey. Oh unbelievers, do not be fooled by material gains. The rain falls on the just as well as the unjust. The good and the wicked people eat as well. The wicked and the just receive shelter, medical attention, education, spouses, children and all the worldly comforts but soon will be their destruction if they do not repent.
In Islam, women are allowed to speak and express their opinions and facts. For example, there are over 6,000 narrations of the Prophet Muhammad by his wife Aiesha, daughter of Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with her. We saw many narrations and teachings from Fatima, daughter of prophet Muhammad, may Allah be pleased with her. Umm Salama and many other women in Islam who narrated, lectured and contributed to the world. Islam is the only way of life that restores the dignity of women. Oh women, leave disbelief, embrace Islam.
running a country is not the same as being going to congregate in worship of the almighty…stop your judging….remember, we had ruth, queen of sheba etc who played very important roles in the politics of their day. go study your scriptures and stop using the teachings of the enemy of the people of the almighty…so call muslem!
It is better to be thought a fool that to open your mouth (or pen your thoughts on DNO) and prove that you are!
Still, the smily face at the end of your “rant” shows that you are only trying to ruffle a few feathers … right?!
JUST IMAGINE ISLAM BECOMING A MAJOR RELIGION IN DOMINICA…. NOU KAY FINI BAT!!!!
allah should cut your fingers for typing such crap
she was backward and Dominicans hated her, so try all you want to rehabilitate her image, she destroyed her party, supported the American invasion, which led to the death of thousands in Panama, etc…, Dominicans disliked her and always will!!!
that is what you say speak for yourself,i will always love her.she held up pride and justice in dominica,and not the corrupt party that is running our country now.so keep your thoughts.
Strongly agree @ Wey! What an abomination to have this woman rule this nation.
A woman should never rule a nation that is an abomination unto the Lord.
was the queen of sheba an abomination? was ruth an abomination? stop using the teachings of the enemy who enslaved and murdered over 90 million of our people in so called arab lands..black man!
RUBBISH
I MEAN RUBBISH AT MUSLIM
SPEAK FOR YOURSELF
She cared alot about Dominica and our way of living unlike her predecessors.
You’re the Best Mamo!! Thank You for all that you did for us!!!
Muta means temporary marriage, that means you can get married for 5 days, best you change that name.
Second, mamo was a pure idiot, betraying her Caribbean “brother/sister” Grenada by allowing this filthy Ronald Regan into Grenada to interfere with the country affair.
Dominica has never had another Prime Minister like Dame Mary Eugenia Charles and i doubt there will be none other like her she was a once in a lifetime deal. Hats off to you Mamo may you rest in peace.
And rumors of corruption and inpropriety never followed her and his ministers! Truly a role model to many young women in Dominica and the region.
Had the privilege of talking to a stranger in NYC not too long ago. When I told him what country I came from the first thing out his mouth was, “That’s the country with the female leader they referred to as the Iron Lady?” May your soul rest in peace Mamo.
Me too- I met a doctor at a hospital in NY 22 years ago. Just migrated to the US and when I told hi where I came from Eugenia Charles was the next word from his moth.I went to college and all the Caribbean students knew who Eugenia Charles was . That made me proud.
Not sure if we will ever have someone with such integrity , brilliance and so tactful
Our Dame Eugenia Charles will always live in our hearts. She was and is a true legend.
The IRON LADY herself.. happy belated bday and may your soul rest in peace.,, Money could never buy ur contribution to our society and the need for diversity that you fought for. We love you for your stoic ways in ensuring that we get the benefits and rights that we deserve.
MAMO. Now that was a PM!!!
YES SIR.
She have us respect in the region and internationally. I remember that islandwide rally in 1980 I think!!! Have mercy.. Yellow and white t shirts making ding dong…….Thank you for your selfless representation of the Country….Much respect..
Gave us respect
OH YES
SHE HAD INTEGRITY. I MISS THOSE DAYS
I remember that very well. I went with my grandmother who back then we referred to as a “poto freedomite.” That islandwide motorcade is an event I will never forget. I was 7 years then. VIVA MAMA EUGENIA, VIVA FOR DOMINICA.