Are Women Supporting Women This Election?

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NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS – In 1962, Dame Doris Johnson made history, becoming the first Bahamian woman to run in a general election, under the Progressive Liberal Party, in the Eleuthera constituency.

She did not win but she opened the door. Twenty years later, in 1982, Dame Janet Bostwick walked through it, becoming the first Bahamian woman elected to parliament, under the Free National Movement, in Yamacraw.

Fast forward to 2026 and that door is wide open. More than 50 women are now vying for a seat in parliament, the largest number in Bahamian history.

The Progressive Liberal Party has eleven women in the race, the Free National Movement, thirteen and the Coalition of Independents leads with twenty-two. Add to that, six more women running as independents, making this one of the most female-driven races the country has ever seen.

And in some key constituencies, it’s an all-woman showdown. In Englerston., PLP incumbent and veteran politician Glenys Hanna-Martin faces newcomer Heather McDonald of the FNM and Faith Percentie, representing the Coalition of Independents.

Over in Elizabeth, incumbent Jobeth Coleby-Davis is seeking re-election for the PLP, challenged by Heather Hunt of the FNM and Donna Dorsett-Major, who now shifts from Bain and Grants Town to the Elizabeth constituency, under the Coalition of Independents.

But as the number of women on the ballot grows, so does the question, are women truly supporting women this election season?

According to an Our News social media poll…44 percent said yes, 22 percent said no, and 33 percent said somewhat.

I spoke with several women to hear their perspectives.