Exciting times as women flood Parliament

Fast-rising recording artiste Tosh Alexander and Jada Kingdom are among players in the entertainment fraternity that have welcomed the election of a record number of women to the House of Representatives.

Eighteen women are set to be sworn-in as legislators when the new Parliament is convened. Previously, the highest number of women to have served in the House is 12.

Alexander said that the increase in female representation in politics is a major victory for women in Jamaica. "The Jamaican woman embodies strength like no other and we've always pushed the envelope. This is just another stepping stone for us and I am confident our female leaders will raise the bar and set the standard," she said.

"I'm very excited for us taking up more space in politics and being recognised not only for the significant role we can play, but the role we have always played in being at the forefront of shaping revolutions and contributing to society, even when we were overlooked and disregarded. I'm excited that our female leaders, with their persistence, have stepped into their power and gained the trust of our people to help represent them and lead them towards building a better Jamaica."

A balance the society needs

Of Jamaica's eight prime ministers, only one -- Portia Simpson Miller -- is a female. And although Fayval Williams has served as minister without portfolio in the ministry of finance, Jamaica has never had a female finance minister.

Dancehall artiste Jada Kingdom says she believes that greater female representation in Parliament would bring about a balance the society needs. She says she hopes the increased number of women in Parliament would result in a prioritising of the issues that affect women.

"It's good to see so many Jamaican sisters stepping into politics because it will bring a balance and energy that our society needs. Jamaica has made a statement by electing so many females and, hopefully, it will also help put female issues at the top of the agenda too. Issues such as equal pay and fair representation at all levels," she said. "It's an exciting time for Jamaica, we have hit a massive hurdle with COVID-19, but we have to keep going and with so many women helping to guide the country now, we a fi win! Women have always been the true power brokers in society. It's been that way since the dawn of time. We let men think they are in control but we all know where the real power lies," Jada Kingdom said.

Popular entertainment personality Amelia 'Milk' Sewell can't wait to see more changes.

"I'm hoping to see that out of these 18 women that we can get back a female prime minister the next time around. I see prime minister qualities in Krystal Tomlinson. I love her ideas, she speaks her mind and she has strong leadership qualities. You can't 'cow' her down, she knows what she wants and what she's about. We need women like that in positions of power in this country," Milk said.

Tomlinson lost in her bid to win St Andrew West Rural for the People's National Party.

Shelly-Ann Curran said she has never doubted Prime Minister Andrew Holness' ability to select women and place them where they are needed. "It's because of him that this gate has opened and I want to say thank you to him for affording our women these opportunities. I am sure he will be making the right decisions when selecting his cabinet. He knows that women get the job done."