On this International Women's Day, Barbados can boast of being led by three women: Dame Sandra Mason, the Republic's first president; Mia Amor Mottley, the first woman to be appointed head of government; and Santia Bradshaw, Deputy Prime Minister.
With these three women at the helm of the country, Barbados benefits from a skillful blend of humanism, diplomatic know-how and pragmatism. However, women’s accession to positions of power is nothing new for this Caribbean island. Back in 2012, Kerryann Ifill, a visually impaired senator, became the first woman to be appointed President of the Senate.
Unlike other countries, where women must still fight their way into the political, economic and social arena, Barbados has a head start in the battle for gender equality. Indeed, 21st century Barbados acknowledges women's invaluable contribution to the economic fortunes of sugar plantations during slavery.
Barbados also recognizes the role of the woman as head of the family when men left to work on American sugar plantations in Cuba after the abolition of slavery, or during the construction of the Panama Canal in the early 20th century.
Author: Jihane Sfeir
English Translation by Joy Lewis (https://www.aaatranslationservicesbb.com/en/