Christian Association for Civics and Political Education (CACPE)

Our Debut Newsletter!

March Is “Honouring Women Month” in the Cayman Islands

Traditionally, here in the Cayman Islands and in most countries of the world, Mother’s Day focuses on mothers, and that day honours many women.  Several years ago, March was designated as Honouring Women Month in the Cayman Islands.  At first, this might seem like a duplication of the honour of Mother’s Day, but it really isn’t.  Despite the obvious fact that mothers are women, there are many women who have contributed to nation-building but are not biological mothers.  Honouring Women Month gives those in the latter category the opportunity to be recognized for their contributions without having to feel uncomfortable about not fitting into the “mother” category. 

The “Aspiration” Monument was dedicated to the women of the Cayman Islands in the 2009 Heroes Day observances, which focussed on the contribution of women to the development and history of the Cayman Islands. Next to the Aspiration monument stands a wall inscribed with the names of all but eight of the 358 women who petitioned for the right to vote, which was finally gained in 1957. The names of the eight missing women were lost when the document was damaged in a fire at Government House in 1972.”

“The monument was made in just five months at the American Bronze Foundry in Sanford, Florida. It depicts two women, one young and one older, climbing up stairs as a tribute to the work and struggles of Caymanian women…On the sides of the stairway are “Faith, Perseverance, Vision, Strength, Determination, Equality”…”it was dedicated 26th January, 2009 by: Hon. D. Kurt Tibbetts, JP Leader of Government Business” and other government officials.

Well, the 2021 general elections are drawing near, and in just over a month the registered electors of the Cayman Islands will have the right to cast their votes for the 19 Members of Parliament who will form the next government and opposition.

If you are not already a registered voter, you will not be able to vote on April 14, 2021.  However, any Caymanian who is 18 years or older and would like to exercise their right to vote can always sign up to be a registered elector, provided they meet the criteria.  Just because someone has missed the opportunity to vote in the upcoming general election does not mean that they can’t still register as an elector and vote at a new situation that may arise, such as a by-election, or another election has to be held in order to elect a new MP (or MPs, as the case may be).  It’s best to be ready to vote.

Visit the Cayman Islands Elections Office website to get more information on how to  register to vote. Click here to go to Elections Office website  (https://portal.elections.ky/index.php/home/registeration-process)

Remember: If you don’t vote, you are essentially still choosing a candidate by omission.

Choosing your Member of Parliament

The Cayman Islands Parliament is made up of 19 duly elected Members of Parliament (MPs), one for each of the 19 single-member constituencies established by the Electoral Boundaries Commission.  The first time the electorate of the Cayman Islands voted under the single-member constituency system was in 2017. 

Judicial Review Update

The Judicial Review brought by Ms. Kattina Anglin against Gov. Roper’s use of his reserve powers to pass the Civil Partnership Law is due to be heard at the first available hearing date following 14th April 2021. Please keep this matter in prayer.