
Many residents are claiming that many of the issues caused by the political class have been because of Patriarchal leadership fueled by male egos, and that it is time for a woman to be at the helm of the Government in the Virgin Islands.
However, currently, there are no women heading any of the four main political parties, these are the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) led by Dr the Hon Natalio D. Whealty (R7); the National Democratic Party (NDP) led by Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8); Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) led by Ronnie W. Skelton and the one-man Progressives United (PU) led by Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), all men.
But with the outcome of the elections uncertain and many voters believing that there will be a coalition government, could a woman emerge as the next Premier?
There are many female candidates being floated as possible Premiers including, former First Lady Lorna G. Smith of the NDP, Luce D. Hodge-Smith of the VIP, and Ingrid A. Moses-Scatliffe of the PVIM.
However, for these women to even be considered for premiership in the VI, they must first win their seats in the House of Assembly.
If the party leaders of the four main parties do not make the cut in the April 24, 2023, election there could be a lot of 'jockeying' for power and a female could be in the lead for the highest office in the VI.
Male dominated leadership of the current
political parties include, Hons Dr Natalio D. Wheatley (VIP), Julian
Fraser (PVIM), Marlon A. Penn (NDP) along with former Legislator Ronnie
W. Skelton (PVIM).