Former Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson.
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Senior Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson said Kamala Harris’ election to Vice President of the United States should cause Bahamians to think about how men and women can be treated equally in The Bahamas through passage of an Equal Pay Act and a mandate that boards of public companies have at least 50 percent female representation.
“America has now shown its preparedness to face the pandemic of racism and we have visibly celebrated the election of a woman who has shattered a glass ceiling,” she said yesterday.
“What are some of the things we can do here in the Bahamas as we talk about what America does? What are we going to do to affect positively the lives of our people? How are we going to embrace diversity? How are we going to honour women as equal to men?”
The former Attorney General said the country should pass an Equal Pay Act to “guarantee that women receive the same pay as men for substantially the same work”.
“Women for the most part are not getting the same as their male partners at all,” she noted.
“We should enshrine equal pay for equal work in law and that would make a statement about how we as a people think about the dignity of women. We’ve seen changes happen in so-called developed countries, like many states in the United States and in the United Kingdom. When I was much younger the view was that it was the man’s responsibility to take care of his family and the woman just happened to be in the workplace, and that was used to justify the pay that men and women get. Clearly, the times and views have changed.”
Mrs Maynard Gibson also wants legislation passed mandating that equal number of women and men become board members of public companies, noting that women are “woefully under-represented” on BISX-listed companies.
She also said the government should finally pass legislation granting women “the right for their spouses and children, wherever they are born, to become citizens of The Bahamas.”
“What are we going to do with respect to the citizenship issues that continue to cause pain and suffering against women?” she asked.
“There is an Act in Parliament that is already drafted. Why isn’t that being brought forward, why isn’t that being debated and why isn’t that being passed? If you’re talking about alleviating suffering, let’s stop talking and act.
“We can also speak about bringing hope for the future so young and older Bahamians, men and women can recognise and celebrate the fact that a Bahamian woman will be able to pass on their citizenship to their spouse as does a Bahamian man and wherever a child is born in the world, she can pass on her citizenship to her child, as can a married Bahamian woman and, for a single Bahamian man, he should also be able to pass on his citizenship. It isn’t the same as amending a constitution but in terms of being pragmatic it enables these things to happen by law which is important and both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition have spoken favourably of these things, so make it happen.
“We bring to Parliament all kinds of things that are rushed through, why not rush this?” she asked.
More like this story
- CITIZENSHIP BILL ‘A NO BRAINER’: Maynard-Gibson calls on govt to proceed with legal changes
- Senate approves gender equality Bills ahead of planned referendum
- Attorney General calls on women to campaign for equality
- Voting no to referendum over same-sex fears a ‘shame’
- EDITORIAL: Honour women by bringing equality to all
Comments
UN 3 years, 12 months ago
These same broads who create secret/not so secret chaos in the workplace every single day are using a chick being handed a position (she’s no Hilary Clinton or Margaret Thatcher) as a ploy for more money? Laughable. She’s only there because Black Lives Matter is a current fad. They have zero reason to feel proud. Nothing good got accomplished. I knew they were going to use this somehow (you see - WE are something). Jokes. They can’t last a minute on the job without twitching and babbling.
I’d like Mrs former attorney general to tell secret princess her real age and where her money is located. I remember dining at East Villa eons ago with my 3 bosses and clearly one of them knew her real well. The former AG greeted her (oddly she didn’t respond) - must have a connection because she called my boss by a nickname used only by close friends and family: Joey. How old was I really at that time?
Yes, it’s all about money.
DDK 3 years, 12 months ago
"broads', " chicks" ??? ,What are you??
tribanon 3 years, 11 months ago
The bigger question of course is: "What is Maynard-Gibson??" And most of us thankfully now know the answer to that.
Blessed 3 years, 12 months ago
Wow haters
ThisIsOurs 3 years, 12 months ago
doubt it. everyone thought having Barack Obama as president would do wonders for race relations. the exact opposite happened. As to leadership, we would do better to stop talking about the physical characteristics of these candidates and how well known they are and start talking about concrete demonstrations of leadership qualities. I will never forget when Carlton Smith interviewed Frankie Campbell and asked him what made him suitable for leadership, his answer was he was a police officer for years. That's the foolishness we accept. If he was a great police officer, heroic always going above and beyond, reaching into the community building coalitions, solving unsolvable crimes, advocating for citizens rights, pushing for change in the force etc etc, those could have been stated as justifiable reasons. instead all we got was he was qualified because he was a police officer. well so was the man who beat up the 2 17-year old girls in Exuma(?) Stop talking about women as Prime Minister and start advocating for leaders, not as a brand, demonstrated qualities
Future 3 years, 11 months ago
She just needed to feel relevant again.
themessenger 3 years, 11 months ago
Bey! Black crab syndrome in dis Lil country can't done, mudda sic dread.
tribanon 3 years, 11 months ago
This evil woman has spent her entire adult life smiling at most black Bahamians while, as a member of the PLP ruling elite, she literally went about preying on them in order to stuff her pockets like no other. Yep, she's evil to the very core.
moncurcool 3 years, 11 months ago
This out of the mouth of the woman who did not open her mouth against her own party when they fought against laws in the first ever referendum in the Bahamas in 2003 that would have helped to give women equal rights. Some people just need to stay quiet. Tired of people spewing nonsenses when they themselves are the ones who have caused the problems and lack of advancement.
Sign in to comment
OpenID