Prime Minister Gaston Browne has made a direct public appeal for greater female representation in Parliament, singling out two candidates he says must be among the country's elected leaders following the upcoming general election.
According to Antigua.news, Browne made the remarks during the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party's manifesto launch at the American University of Antigua on Monday, placing women at the centre of his administration's development agenda.
"To the women of Antigua and Barbuda, you will be essential to this Renaissance, because no nation can rise if its women are left behind," Browne declared.
He argued that women have already demonstrated their capacity at the highest levels of public and private life and must now be equally represented in political decision-making.
"Women now hold the most senior positions in the public service, in the banks, and increasingly in the business community… and that is a foundation on which we will continue to build," he said.
In one of the address's more notable moments, Browne named two female candidates specifically — Kiz Johnson and his wife, Minister Maria Browne — as figures he is determined to see elected.
"You have two young, bright ladies on our team… Kiz Johnson and Maria Browne," he said, before issuing a direct call to voters: "As a priority, these two individuals should be in our Parliament after the next general elections."
Browne framed their candidacies as part of a broader movement toward gender equity in governance. "If we are serious about empowering our women, we cannot leave them out of the highest decision-making authority," he said. He added that he views both women as pioneers. "I see them as trailblazers for more women to serve in the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda."
Beyond political representation, the Prime Minister outlined wider plans to expand opportunities for women and youth, including increased support for entrepreneurship, leadership development, and access to financing. "We will strengthen support for women in enterprise and leadership and generally in national life," he said.
Browne also stressed the importance of youth empowerment, stating that young people will play a central role in driving economic growth. "We will widen opportunities for young people… and expand youth entrepreneurship programmes," he added.
The remarks come as both major political parties sharpen their focus on youth engagement and gender inclusion ahead of the April 30 general election, with candidates such as Johnson and Browne emerging as prominent faces of a new political generation.
