Aspirations of Young Female Leaders in Transitioning to Elective Politics in Barbados

Abstract

This chapter examines the barriers faced by young females who aspire to leadership in the Barbadian and Caribbean political systems. Barbados’ progressive social policies, including the provision of subsidized education up to tertiary level, have helped to diminish inequalities across race, class and gender lines. Women have achieved greater social mobility and have been able to make their mark in several traditionally male-dominated fields such as law, education and business. Consequently, the political arena is another such area in which such breakthroughs would be expected, particularly for young aspiring women leaders. However, on closer examination of current Barbadian political institutions, particularly at the leadership level, it would appear that women – especially younger women – are significantly underrepresented. Their inability to advance into the political sphere must therefore be a cause for concern for any progressive society. The essay unearths the reasons for the underlying inequalities and suggests viable strategies for the removal of these barriers so that aspiring young women can take their rightful place within political institutions, just as young males do.