Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Member of Parliament for Portland Eastern, Ann-Marie Vaz, says it would be good if Opposition Senator Damion Crawford finds it within him to desist from making remarks which ultimately are an attempt to denigrate the dreams, aspirations and hard work of women and girls across Jamaica.

Mrs Vaz, in a statement on Tuesday (December 1), argued that for far too long, women and girls in Jamaica and across the world have been confronted with prejudiced, misogynist and chauvinistic remarks from people who assume a false sense of superiority to others in a world where all people should be considered equal and assessed based on their demonstrated ability to perform and get the job done.

Meanwhile, Vaz contended she was not personally impacted by the comments made by Crawford, Vice President of the People’s National Party (PNP) over the past two years—where he referred to her as ‘not being sensible’ and even suggested that she cannot be more than a housewife.

However, the East Portland MP felt compelled to, at this time, speak out on behalf of women in Jamaica who may have been discouraged by misogynistic remarks similar to those made by Crawford.

“To every woman in Jamaica, every girl, I urge you to never let disrespectful and chauvinistic comments from mean spirited people dissuade you from pursuing your dreams and aspirations,” Vaz charged.

“I urge women and girls to continue to persist, continue to strive, continue to be motivated by an earnest desire to give service to your country while bettering the lives of people. Be sure that eventually, success will be yours. Keep the faith and keep believing,” she continued.

The East Portland MP called Crawford’s continuation of a disturbing trend ‘unfortunate’, adding he has demonstrated a penchant to make comments which seek to trivialise and suppress the value and involvement of women in various avenues of nation-building, especially within the political arena.

Mrs Vaz said she wishes Crawford well and it may be useful if he would avail himself of the intervention which may be required to enable him to be more responsible with his speech and understand that vile comments which denigrate women have no place in the 21st century or any century for that matter.

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