WOMEN'S roups across the island have called for a new face to the political scene which would include more females in any future Parliament, and by extension effectively increase the social and economic power of women in society.

The concerns which were outlined in a four-page Manifesto, Healing the Nation; Women's Manifesto for the Prevention of Sexual Injustice, call on local political parties and parliamentarians for immediate political action to empower women in society.

"One of the concerns that we have had is that we have been very patient and yet all that we have been getting are platitudes and promises but really no commitment to action," group member, Joan Grant-Cummings said.

She said that the issues were familiar as they had been ones which were being lobbied on for several years with relevant groups.

"All the parties were approached to discuss how elements could be implemented and while they were receptive to the idea, we still have not even been able to meet," she said.

The Manifesto Committee which consists of 25 women's organisations in Jamaica has challenged leaders involved in the current election debate to several goals, Among these was a call to:

"Take affirmative action to increase the level of women's participation in politics and decision-making to 40 per cent. This should be reflected in the next Senate and the fielding of female candidates in the local government elections as well as on the Boards of state-owned enterprises.

"As of the next financial year, establish clear budgetary allocations for programmes geared to end gender-based violence, implemented by the state and civil society.

"In order to give these issues the attention they require, appoint a Minister with the sole responsibility of Womens Affairs, allocate resources adequate to the effective discharge of its mandate and appoint a broad-based National Commission on Women to advise the Minister."

Mrs. Cummings said that compared with standard national requirements of 30 per cent, the present female political representation was insufficient.

"On the average it now stands at 13 per cent of the power and decision-making power in all of our Houses, (Senate, Lower House). In the People's National Party (PNP) it's a 16 per cent representation, for the Jamaica Labour Party, (JLP) it's 12 per cent. That sends a message at the societal level. It's a system that says to women that 'you are not worthy of leadership, of power or of note.'

She says that while there are female representatives, often they are limited in their own exercise of power. "We can't rely on a single minister, who often cannot easily cross party lines, or has to be committed to the Party, often she has a particular task or portfolio on which to focus."

The group's lobby effort comes against the background of a recent upsurge in sexual attacks against young women in society. Recently two young women were raped and killed in the Grants Pen area of St. Andrew while three school girls in St. Catherine were reportedly lured away from their school compound and raped by their attackers.

"It is the duty of the state and of adult men and women to protect the most vulnerable and we as women and men of all persuasions call upon the state to treat rape and sexual violence as the serious crime that they are," the document outlined. "We are aware that the State has made numerous commitments and ratified various instruments to advance the status of the vulnerable in Jamaica, but there has been insufficient implementation to date."

Meanwhile, both major parties have since included plans to address gender issues.

From The People's National Party (PNP's) 2002 manifesto gender proposals are to:

"Re-affirm ... commitment to major international agreements such as the Convention against all forms of discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Nationality of Married Women, the Convention on the Political Rights of Women and the Inter- American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women.

"... step up our multi-agency campaign to stop violence against women, especially in the home.

"... enact additional laws to safeguard women's political, social and economic rights."

According to its 2002 manifesto, the JLP's gender equity plan will include measures to "recognise and conform to several international declarations which fully recognise womens rights as human rights.

"Strengthen domestic violence legislation to increase punishment for physical abuse.

"Review legislation in incest to ensure that the law is
effective."