The question must be asked – does the PNCR have a problem with women? The available evidence suggests that women in the party are treated with disrespect, and that they have no confidence in the party, and especially in its leadership.
In 2024, Vanessa Kissoon made some serious allegations against party leader Mr. Aubrey Norton. Ms. Kissoon’s complaint prompted Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, an APNU Member of Parliament, to ask her fellow comrades to take Ms. Kissoon’s allegations “seriously.” Masculinist chauvinism, and worse, have long dogged the PNC.
The mistreatment of Amna Ally in the PNC is well known. And to make matters worse, in a determined display of disrespect, the party leadership abandoned her even in death!
The dramatic departure of Amanza Walton-Desir and Geeta Chandan-Edmond in the space of one week, clearly points to the failure of the PNCR leadership to accommodate women.
In a desperate attempt to stop the haemorrhaging, Norton decided to go with Juretha Fernandes as his Prime Ministerial running-mate. But this is another slap in the face of PNCR women. Ms. Fernandes has just migrated from the AFC to the PNCR, and without a day’s service, bypassed all the PNC women.
Worse yet, is the fact that Ms. Fernandes is as weak a running-mate the PNC could have found. Yet, that might be exactly why Norton decided to go with her. A weak running mate can be, and will be, easily ignored. The disrespect for women in the PNCR is moving full-speed ahead.