Dear Editor,

I share the same view aired by Irene, and others who think that there are better strategies to pursue, other than reserving seats for women in our parliamentary system, to enable women to participate in political decision-making.

In fact, I think SI women are not totally left out in our government system, as far as decision-making is concerned. We already have women PSs, USs and Directors within the SI Government ministries who are already participating in the government decision-making process.

However, if woman would like to have more women MPS to represent the female gender in parliament, then there are more credible strategies to pursue-strategies that would bring more awareness to our people regarding the potential women have in taking up leadership roles in politics in our country. More importantly, strategies that would lead to a change in attitude in the way our people perceive women in our society. This includes the need for women to examine their self-perceptions about their own capability to undertake leadership roles, to determine whether they promote or hinder their own development and participation in politics, and change any negative perceptions they have about themselves.

I think a change in attitude can only happen if the bulk of our population receive the right kind of education and come to the realisation that what we need are quality leaders, regardless of gender. I believe only then can we witness an increase on the number of women in politics.