UWP women’s arm denounces Richard Frederick attack on women, urging end to intimidation in St Lucia politics
CASTRIES, St Lucia — The United Workers Party (UWP) National Women’s Arm has condemned what it calls the latest Richard Frederick attack on women, accusing the Castries Central MP of using his talk show to disparage and intimidate women in journalism and politics.
In a strongly worded release, the UWP Women’s Arm highlighted Frederick’s recent remarks on his program Thursday, when he singled out respected journalist Lisa Joseph and accused her of political bias. The group said the comments sought to undermine Joseph’s professionalism and intimidate women in the media who play a vital role in keeping the public informed. Earlier this year, Frederick also drew criticism from the UWP for his public attacks on the SLMDA president.
The statement also condemned Frederick’s personal remarks against UWP Gros Islet candidate Marcella Johnson, describing the allegations he made about her private life as “malicious” and “crossing every boundary of decency.” According to the Women’s Arm, these remarks form part of a weekly trend of degrading women who speak or serve publicly.
To underscore its position, the Women’s Arm released the following statement in full:
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
MP Richard Frederick’s Continued Attacks on Women Must Stop!
The United Workers Party National Women’s Arm strongly condemns the continued use of Parliamentary Representative for Castries Central Richard Frederick’s talk show as a platform to malign, degrade, and disparage women in our society.
On his program on Thursday, Mr. Frederick singled out a respected female journalist Ms. Lisa Joseph, dismissing her professionalism and accusing her of political bias. Such comments are not only disrespectful but are intended to intimidate women in the media who play a vital role in keeping the public informed.
Even more troubling, Mr. Frederick used his platform to personally attack Mrs. Marcella Johnson, our candidate for Gros Islet by spreading malicious allegations about her private life. This type of behavior crosses every boundary of decency and demonstrates a dangerous pattern of targeting women who dare to stand, speak, or serve in public life.
The Women’s Arm emphasizes that these repeated attacks are not isolated incidents but form part of a weekly trend where women are belittled and undermined. This is unacceptable from any public figure, let alone a Member of Parliament who ought to set a higher standard of respect and responsibility.
We call on all right-thinking citizens, civil society groups, and political leaders to reject this conduct and to stand in solidarity with women who continue to serve in journalism, politics, and community leadership. Our democracy cannot thrive where intimidation and character assassination are normalized.
The Women’s Arm reaffirms its commitment to supporting women in public life and will continue to advocate for a political culture grounded in respect, integrity, and equality.
The End.
The group’s call to action is aimed at rallying civil society, political leaders, and the general public to push back against rhetoric it says damages women’s participation in national life.
For continued coverage of politics, governance, and breaking developments across St Lucia, follow Unitedpac St Lucia News.
