Editorial caricature representations of female political leaders in Jamaica: The case of Portia Simpson Miller

Women’s political participation has been the cause of much discussion globally. The points of contention and the intensity of these discussions vary across borders. However, issues of sexuality, the iron-fist woman versus the nurturing woman, the need for women to adapt to the machismo of the political system and leadership capabilities of females remain constant themes. In Jamaica these discussions were heightened in 2006 with the ascension of Jamaica’s first female Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller. Mainstream media vividly captured the gender discourse of the society through its editorial caricatures. This research paper will describe and analyse editorial caricature representations of female political leaders in Jamaica with particular focus on Portia Simpson Miller. The caricatures to be discussed will span 2006 to 2016. During this time Mrs Simpson Miller served as Jamaica’s first female Prime Minister from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2016 when her party lost the general election. The literature review will cover perspectives on gender and sexism, women in leadership and media representation, which are explored in the context of the representation of women in politics in Jamaica.