PNP Women’s Movement rejects suggestion that criticism of House Speaker constitutes misogyny

November 12, 2026

“Do not weaponise misogyny to deflect from legitimate scrutiny.”

That is the message from the People’s National Party (PNP) Women’s Movement, as it

rejects allegations of misogyny levelled against Opposition Leader Mark Golding by Generation 2000 (G2K), the young professional affiliate of the Jamaica Labour Party.

The statement comes amid the fallout from last week’s disruption in the House of Representatives, growing criticism of House Speaker Juliet Holness and renewed calls for the appointment of an independent Speaker.

G2K has described what it calls the continued and targeted denigration of Mrs. Holness as more than political criticism, labelling it a display of misogyny, bias and patriarchal arrogance.

However, President of the Movement, Patricia Duncan-Sutherland, is pushing back, accusing G2K of using the issue of misogyny to deflect from legitimate questions about the Speaker’s handling of Parliamentary business.

Duncan-Sutherland insists that being a woman in public office does not place anyone above accountability.

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She said the Speaker has a duty to preside over Parliament impartially, ensuring that both Government and Opposition lawmakers can effectively carry out their responsibilities.

Duncan-Sutherland argued that the Speaker must act as an independent referee in the House, not as an extension of the governing party.

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The Women’s Movement maintained that the appropriate response to concerns about the Speaker’s conduct is to engage the substantive issues, rather than dismiss the criticism through allegations of gender prejudice.