More Women Needed in BVI Government
Political activist Cindy Rosan says the British Virgin Islands would benefit from a “female-heavy” government to provide maturity, emotional intelligence and a broader focus on social welfare. Her comments on the Too Inquisitive podcast come as three women in government and the Speaker of the House are receiving praise for steady leadership amid public concerns over cost of living, youth unemployment and slow disaster recovery.
Political activist and media owner Cindy Rosan has urged greater female representation in the British Virgin Islands government, saying the territory needs nurturing, balanced leadership to tackle pressing social and economic challenges. Speaking on the Too Inquisitive podcast, Rosan said she did not favour an all-female political party but argued a “female-heavy government” could bring the maturity and emotional intelligence necessary to move the BVI forward. “Professional, mature, and emotionally intelligent women can dislike each other, but they’re going to sit in a room and get the job done,” she said, adding that male grandstanding and ego can sometimes impede progress.
Rosan suggested women tend to adopt a broader approach to governance that includes attention to families, children and social welfare alongside infrastructure and development. She argued the territory is at a point where it needs to be “nurtured back to health,” and pointed to countries led by women, such as Barbados and New Zealand, as examples frequently praised for their emphasis on citizen well-being.
Her comments arrive amid ongoing local concerns — high cost of living, youth unemployment, slow recovery from natural disasters and calls for improved accountability in public office. Advocates say these issues require both technical solutions and empathetic, community-minded leadership.
Rosan also highlighted current female leaders in the territory. Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Luce Hodge Smith has been active in promoting Virgin Islands history, literature and cultural festivals. Lorna Smith, Junior Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, has been a vocal supporter of the financial services sector and has led efforts to increase the territory’s minimum wage.
Education Minister Sharie de Castro has introduced reforms aimed at improving learning outcomes, expanding STEAM programmes, and boosting digital literacy through initiatives such as robotics and coding in schools, while also overseeing infrastructure upgrades and teacher development.
Speaker of the House Corine George-Massicote — though not an elected representative — has been widely commended for her fairness, composure and firm enforcement of decorum in the House of Assembly. Rosan’s message is a call for voters and political actors to consider gender diversity as part of a broader strategy to strengthen governance.
She emphasises pragmatic collaboration over symbolism, saying more women in leadership could help address the BVI’s social and economic priorities with greater balance and care.
Primary source: BVI News