Basseterre, St. Kitts (April 14, 2005): Director Of Gender Affairs Ingrid Charles Gumbs has announced that the Australian High Commission has given a grant of EC$8962 to go towards the launch of a democracy institute.
Mrs. Gumbs explained that although the institute will be open to both male and female participants, it is actually geared toward increasing the number of females involved in the democratic process at decision and policy making levels.
The institute will expose participants to the electoral process, the constitution, international instruments that lead to womens advancement and transformational leadership.
Mrs. Gumbs said that the ministry will address a practical gender need of women attending the institute by providing child care service onsight.
Mrs. Gumbs revealed that the same committee overseeing the OAS sponsored Womens political participation project which has the goal of achieving greater political participation of women, will manage the institute.
Mrs. Gumbs stated that her ministry is actively pursuing the re-entrance of female candidates into the political arena in the Federation.
The Commonwealth Plan of Action calls for 30% of political candidates to be female by the year 2015. Mrs. Charles explained that the Federation was at 12% and must now regain and surpass that percentage.
