Connect with us

Caribbean News

Three Queens Reign in World’s Newest Republic: Barbados

Published

on

By Dana Malcolm & Deandrea Hamilton

 

#Barbados, January 28, 2022 – Have the women of Barbados set off an unstoppable trend? Could 2022 be the Year of the Woman?  Many are nodding in absolute agreement, as increasingly pioneering women with impeccable leadership abilities and stately stances are being bestowed the confidence of their people on a national, even global level and are taking on hierarchal roles in democratic governance.

On January 19th, 2022 the Barbabos Labour Party did what observers thought it would do.  Led by the globally renowned Mia Amor Mottley, the BLP was expected to win the snap election.  However, the nearly 260,000 voters in Barbados did more that resoundingly return Mottley to prime-ministership of the republic, the voters gave her a second sweep in a general election.

All 30 seats were won; a unanimous message was sent by the electorate and the responsibility was humbly accepted, so said the second-term prime minister in the early hours of January 20 when she addressed throngs of supporters.

But we dare not digress as this feat achieved mere days ago in Barbados, goes beyond the shores of the country situated at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.  It is a global milestone which bears feature and focus.

Barbados is led by a new genre of democratically installed Queens.  It is an all-female cast in upper governance of the country, which on November 30th 2021 severed the final colonial ties with Great Britain to become a Republic and a “truly” independent nation forging ahead without the Queen as Head of State.

The President of the Republic of Barbados is Dame Sandra Mason.  At 73 years old, Mason went from being the last Governor General to becoming the first president.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Barbados is Hon Mia Amor Mottley.  At 56 years old, Mottley comes from a family with a rich political history.  The men in her family who led Barbados in a bygone era, obviously instilled within this United Nations Champion of the Earth Award winner the kind of grit which draws world leaders, award winning journalists and ceiling shattering opportunities to her court.

And the Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados, is another Queen’s Counsel attorney-at-law who emerged as faithful, frugal and fair when the country needed her most.  Hon Santia Bradshaw will also lead Government business in the honourable House of Assembly, as she brilliantly staffs this previously unfilled position of deputy prime minister.

Has this been done before and is this feat capable of evoking a shift from male-dominated democracies, to women included governance which is essential to demonstrating diversity.

The gravity of the occasion forces the intrigued to take note of how much space women truly occupy in politics.

“As of 1 September 2021, there are 26 women serving as Heads of State and/or Government in 24 countries. At the current rate, gender equality in the highest positions of power will not be reached for another 130 years,” said information by the United Nations Women, in its Facts and Figures Women’s’ Leadership and Political Participation report.

Unquestionably, the statistics for women holding seats in parliament are improving but still abysmal. In its September 2021 general elections, The Bahamas similarly charted some records as among the Caribbean region countries to hold general elections within this era when the profile of gender equality has been raised.

Compared to the 3.905 billion women alive who make up 49.58 per cent of the world’s population; “Only four countries have 50 per cent or more women in parliament in single or lower houses: Rwanda with 61 per cent, Cuba with 53 per cent, Bolivia with 53 per cent, and the United Arab Emirates with 50 per cent.” says the UN.

The women of Barbados are by no means alone in their accomplishment, countries like Trinidad and Tobago, where its president is a woman:  Paula-Mae Weekes; New Zealand, Finland, Greece, Ethiopia, Togo, Tanzania, Gabon, Singapore, Taiwan and just elected today, January 28,2022 as president of Honduras, Xiomara Castro.

From Hon Akierra Missick, who served as the Turks and Caicos Islands youngest, female Deputy Premier there was high commendation, The Hon Prime Minister’s, second resounding victory in the general elections has firm placed her in the World’s history books, a place she already rested comfortably in, but showed that despite the naysayers women in politics and leadership are well suited and prepared to push their shoulders to the wheel and get the work done for their people.”

The selection of the two women – Dame Mason and Hon Bradshaw – to stand with her in leadership of Barbados, to those looking on is another demonstration of Prime Minister Mottley’s admirable boldness.  Undoubtedly, she knew this unique appointment would not only help her to deliver on her campaign pledges to the people of Barbados, but it would upset and uproot old notions which need to go the route of colonialism, that is to be firmly placed in the Republic of Barbados’ past.

 

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

Published

on

Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

Published

on

Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

Published

on

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING