Lovitta Foggo believes she’s proved women are up to the task after three years as Bermuda’s first female Government Chief Whip.The St David’s MP says her election to the post by Parliamentary colleagues in 2008 paved the way for her to show how females can operate in a capacity which had been male-dominated for centuries.Despite its history of female leaders, others in the Progressive Labour Party have pointed to a core of male bias in the ruling party, in common with much of the Caribbean.Ms Foggo was in fact the first female Chief Whip in the Caribbean’s Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.“I’m honoured to have been elected to serve in the Whip capacity,” she said as she told The Royal Gazette about the sometimes overlooked duties involved in one of the Westminster system’s most significant Parliamentary roles.“This is demonstrative of the confidence afforded to me by my Parliamentary colleagues. Success in this role is largely based on the level of trust between members and the Whip, who often must interact on behalf of her Parliamentary colleagues with the strictest of confidentiality, especially if harmony is to be maintained. While I would like to manage a portfolio, the education received in the Whip’s capacity has been invaluable.“It has served me extremely well both as a Parliamentarian and as an executive member of the CPA Bermuda branch providing the necessary foundation to make meaningful contributions in all of the committees on which I serve.”She continued: “It’s doubly rewarding to have been chosen as the first female Whip in Bermuda. This iterates the point that women are indeed capable of serving in many capacities and it demonstrates the confidence that all, including our males, place in the ability of a woman to oversee and manage both the parliamentarians and legislative affairs.”She said accolades from colleagues negate any sentiments suggesting a female is not equally suited to the role as a male.“This underscores the point that success in such roles or any role should not be determined by sex but by the contribution of the person serving in the role,” she said.“There will always be those who reserve roles deemed as leadership and/or authoritarian best handled by males.”The Whip’s essential job is to serve as a liaison between Cabinet and backbenchers, and inform the backbench what legislation will be taken up for debate.She is also responsible for ordering the speakers on each piece of legislation.“If there are any reservations or concerns regarding legislation or other matters pertaining to Government, such matters are often brought to the attention of the Whip in confidence and then they are dealt with accordingly,” explained Ms Foggo.The Whip is responsible for letting the Premier know when support from backbenchers appears insufficient and whether a piece of legislation may be rejected by the House.Other duties include:n advising when Government MPs are speaking at odds with Government’s position and if necessary indicating they take their seat;n sorting the House seating arrangements, although the Premier may indicate preferences;n securing information such as Ministerial Briefs for MPs.In the House, Ms Foggo sits on a number of Parliamentary committees: the Public Accounts Committee, the Audit Committee, Standing Orders Rules and Privileges, Private Bills and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Bermuda Branch.She says this puts her in a good position to advise backbenchers and Ministers on the processes of such committees.During her time as Government Whip, Ms Foggo, a former educator, has pursued a Master’s degree in public policy.She said she undertook the degree to augment her contribution as a Parliamentarian while enhancing her understanding of “the connectivity between Government and the Civil Service together with civil society and how they can and should work hand in hand to make Bermuda a better Bermuda”.“I want to make sure that my contribution is one that’s positive and beneficial, advancing Bermuda and her people in general, and us a Government,” she said.Useful websites: www.plp.bm.