The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement is focused on winning the female vote, which it lost in the last general election, according to Monique Gomez, president of the FNM Women’s Association.

She claimed that the Christie administration has done nothing for women or the Bahamian people since securing their votes.

“In the 2012 election, the PLP sang all sorts of smooth songs, and unfortunately most of our women fell for it,” Mrs Gomez said. “They talked to us about mortgage relief — how many in Grand Bahama have had mortgage relief? They talked to us about creating 10,000 jobs in the first year – how many in Grand Bahama have been afforded opportunities for employment?

“These are the things that we women have to hammer home to our sisters. We have to tell them, ‘look the PLP is not doing anything for you or the people, they are only empowering themselves and their cronies.’”

Mrs Gomez said previous FNM administrations have been good to women.

She noted that the FNM had the first woman member of parliament who was also the first woman attorney general. Under the FNM, the first woman was appointed as minister of financial affairs, governor general, and chief justice, she said.

“So we now have to go out and reach out to them (women), hear them, feel them, and tell them we heard your concerns and we will have women at the table to ensure that your voices are heard, felt and touched,” she added.

“We cannot win the election by FNMs alone. There are a lot of disgruntled and disillusioned PLPs, we must reach out and welcome our DNA brothers and sisters and bring them back home, we have work to win this country back,” she said.

“We in the Women’s Association are planning to take our meeting out of the headquarters and we will meet in communities; every quarter we will have a meeting in one area of New Providence.”

She encouraged members of the association in Grand Bahama to do the same.

The association has also created various committees, including a group to educate women about legislation affecting them. There is also a committee on social outreach, membership, communication, and a Family Island Desk.

“Women of this country head most of the households, and so, therefore, their views need to be canvassed so we can have a plan in our manifesto going forward,” she told party supporters attending a weekend retreat at the Foster B Pestaina Hall.

“We have to work hard to ensure that our women are brought to table to formulate policies because we know what it is that women need in this country,” said Mrs Gomez. “I implore (party leader Dr Hubert) Minnis to ensure that we are at the table.”

Mrs Gomez said the Women’s Association supports women’s rights and will travel in March to the United Nations Commission on Women’s Rights to give a briefing.