Female politicians from across the party divide stood together in a rare show of unity recently to back the involvement of more women in politics.

The MPs and Senators spoke out after returning from the first ever Regional Conference of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), in Nassau, Bahamas.

The CWP aims to encourage women to stand for election, address their concerns and promote networking. The eight-strong Bermuda contingent was comprised of Ministers Paula Cox and Patrice Minors, former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith, PLP backbencher Rene? Webb, Shadow Finance Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, Independent Senator Carol Bassett and UBP Senator Gina Spence-Farmer. They were accompanied by Assistant Clerk to the Legislature Carolyn Todd at the conference, which drew delegates from 13 countries across the Caribbean.

Former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith said: ?This was a first for the region and a very important event. Growing up, I don?t think that we had female Parliamentary role models. No such thing existed, and but young people growing up today have us, and we feel the need to let people know what we are doing so other young people may be inspired.?

Finance Minister Paula Cox said: ?We don?t always chat because of the way of the political divide, but couldn?t help but feel a sense of pride and warmth to see some of the younger members, and also the camaraderie.We didn?t have a lot of time together, but it was good.?

She added: ?Too often women?s issues get sidelined as if it?s just the ?froth.??

Ms Cox delivered a speech during the conference last month entitled: ?Overcoming Challenges: Experiences by Women in Politics.? Other topics discussed included election preparation, support and encouragement, and moving towards a legislative agenda regarding sexual harassment in the workplace.

?Government has publicly given its commitment to review our existing legislation to identify any remaining laws and policies that may be discriminatory against women and bring forward the necessary amendments at the earliest opportunity,? she said.

She added that a point stressed at the conference was mentoring, and participants had been challenged with identifying other women they could help into Parliament. Although neither of Bermuda?s political parties have a formal mentoring process for young women, Ms Cox said the PLP?s selection process aimed to be inclusive and get younger people involved. Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin said the UBP tried to encourage young women into its caucuses and bring on trainees.

?We don?t want to frighten anybody off, but want to make them aware of the hard work,? she said.

A further goal was at least 30 percent female representation in the CWP Houses of Parliament. Bermuda currently has 24 percent across both House and Senate.

The CWP developed from an informal meeting of women Parliamentarians held at the 35th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Barbados in 1989. This was initiated by Dr. Norma Cox Astwood, an independent Bermuda senator, who then acted as co-ordinator for the women?s caucus.