"Breaking the Mould": PNP’s Nekeisha Burchell Confronts Patriarchy in Politics

KINGSTON, Jamaica 

 “Not my record. Not my qualifications. But my hips. My lips. My clothes.” That was the reality for Nekeisha Burchell, the People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker for St James South, who is boldly pushing back against patriarchal expectations and reimagining what leadership looks like in Jamaica.

In a candid and defiant public statement, Burchell laid bare the sexist scrutiny she has endured since launching her political campaign — not for her policies, but for her appearance.

“This Is Not About Body Positivity — It’s About Broken Systems”

Burchell revealed that when she first announced her candidacy, the primary feedback had nothing to do with infrastructure, education, or water supply. Instead, attention turned to her body — a reflection, she said, of how politics remains a “man’s world”, where women are often reduced to aesthetics.

“When I was first attacked publicly about my body, it wasn’t just random gossip. It was political,” she explained. “They attempted to reduce me to body parts.”

But Burchell refused to shrink. “I’m not here for validation. Not from men whose best ideas expired two decades ago,” she stated firmly.

Defying the “Grey Suit” Standard

Even allies, she noted, urged her to adopt the “look” of a traditional politician — flatter tones, more muted attire, less femininity.

“They said things like, ‘Wear more serious clothes.’ But I reject the idea that leadership must come wrapped in a grey suit, a flat tone and a shrunken self.”

Burchell says her identity as a feminine, educated, outspoken Black woman is not a liability — it’s her political strength.

From Image to Impact: Fixing What’s Broken

Burchell was clear: she’s not running to champion body politics — she’s running to fix roads, water access, land titling, youth development, and to bring economic investment to underserved communities in St James South.

“Our youth need spaces to learn, play and dream. Our women need access to land titles and business support. Our entire region deserves investment in schools, clinics, proper housing, and the restoration of our heritage — including places like Flagstaff.”

Femininity Is Not a Flaw — It’s Fuel for Economic Growth

Burchell also highlighted how “feminine” traits and women’s lived experiences can meaningfully transform Jamaica’s development model. She points to informal entrepreneurs — hair stylists, vendors, online retailers — who are systematically shut out of the formal economy.

“These women are creators. But they’re excluded by a system that still refuses to evolve. That’s why I entered politics — not to play pretend in a man’s world, but to change the rules entirely.”

Our Opinion: Burchell’s Voice Is Necessary — and Long Overdue

Nekeisha Burchell is not just challenging sexist norms — she’s flipping the script on political leadership in Jamaica. In a society where image too often overshadows substance, her refusal to compromise who she is sends a powerful message: Leadership is not about how you look, but what you fight for.

If Jamaican politics is to move forward, it must make room for leaders like Burchell — leaders who aren’t afraid to be seen, heard, and felt — in their full, authentic selves.

• Support diverse political leadership

• Demand substance over spectacle

• Challenge patriarchal norms in every space — including Gordon House

It’s time Jamaica makes space for the future — not just the familiar.