Billie Miller, former Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados, in Belize

Billie Miller, she is a power house among women in the Caribbean and she is here in Belize in connection with an initiative by the National Women’s Commission, called Women in Politics. Miller is among a small group of women that have made it to the upper layer in public service having served as Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados and other ministerial posts. WIP, the project that brings her to Belize, is as much a 101 in political science as it is a platform for Belizean women to learn more about their function and roles at the highest level of decision making in the country.  After fifteen weeks of training the first group of political hopefuls today graduated the program which began in November of last year. News Five’s Isani Cayetano was at the Biltmore for the special occasion.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The Class of 2010 has successfully completed a curriculum on the basics of electoral politics. These pioneer students from different backgrounds are now better prepared to face the many challenges in public office.  To some it has been an introduction to what goes on inside the political arena but for Daedra Isaacs-Haylock the experience has brought her full circle.

Daedra Isaacs-Haylock, Graduate

Daedra Isaacs Haylock

“Back when I was sixteen years old my mom threw me into it when she made me, signed me up to attend a youth political conference in Corozal.  It was a Caribbean conference held in Corozal and so my first involvement was by encouragement of parent.  My second involvement was through profession, covering it from a media perspective. And so I thought that to make a decision on whether or not this is a road you’re gonna travel down, my family has always been involved in it some way, shape or form.”

Since the turn of the century the number of women who have held ministerial positions has only been six.  That figure pales in comparison to the number of men in leadership positions within government.  While Haylock has not yet taken her place in electoral politics she is among a handful of graduates determined to make a change in the way women are represented.

Dame Billie Miller, Guest Speaker

“I encourage each one of you to find the way to do just that.  This is what politics is about service to community.”

Dame Billie Miller, guest speaker at today’s exercise is an accomplished politician who has held several ministerial positions in Barbados.

Dame Billie Miller

Dame Billie Miller

“I say to you this morning that you have a further and a larger duty to be tireless in guiding and mentoring younger girls and women who are coming after you.  What better cause to offer your passion and your commitment to than that of improving the quality of lives and building communities.”

Ann Ma

rie Williams, in her capacity as Executive Director of the National Women’s Commission, has taken on the challenge of providing role models for women who aspire to become leaders.

Ann Marie Williams, Executive Director, NWC

“Mentorship is important.  This is a form of mentorship.  Somebody asked me are you gonna run for elections and so and so. I said no I want to take time to help women to run for elections.”

One such woman who has ran and won twice is current Mayor of Belize City Zenaida Moya-Flowers who chose to participate in the WIP project despite being an elected official.

Zenaida Moya-Flowers, Mayor of Belize City

Zenaida Moya Flowers

“It was truly a useful experience to sit and review areas I had gone through before and evaluate how I had gone about them with a view to improving in those areas I needed to.”

And while Moya-Flowers is at the helm of municipal government Haylock says in order to effectively represent women in politics she first has to place the party system under the microscope.

Daedra Isaacs-Haylock

“I think that’s the next level of analysis that you have to make for yourself as an individual and that I will have to make for myself as an individual towards making that final decision as to be able to put my name on a ballot paper whether for municipal or for general elections.”

The inaugural class of 2010 already boasts two candidates for the upcoming Village Council Elections and only time will tell whether the remaining aspirants will take the political mantle. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.