PARAMARIBO, Suriname, Jul 31, CMC -A member of the main opposition Progressive Reform Party (VHP), maintains his statement about Suriname “should never again have a woman as president” had been taken out of context.
Cedric van Samson (VHP) insists that he had been misquoted and deliberately misunderstood in the radio interview that led to a heated and emotional debate in the National Assembly on Thursday.
Van Samson refused to retract his words or offer an apology, resulting in female members of the coalition government leaving the National Assembly in protest.
In a lengthy statement, the Women’s Forum of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) said while it has taken note of van Samson’s claim that his words had been taken out of context his “clarification does not alter the fact that the original statement was made and crossed a line.
“Words matter, especially when spoken by an elected representative. The President of the Republic of Suriname may and must be critically monitored. She must, just like any other administrator, be accountable for her policies, decisions, and results. However, political criticism must be directed at the actions and functioning of an administrator, never at the fact that that administrator is a woman.”
President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons became the first woman head of state of the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country when her NDP, which secured 18 seats in the 51-member National Assembly in the May 2025 election, entered into a coalition with other parties to secure 34 seats in the National Assembly.
In its statement, the NDP Women’s Forum said that whoever says “Never again a woman as president” is not merely criticizing one president.
“Such a statement affects every woman and every girl who has the ambition, expertise, and courage to lead. In doing so, women are held collectively responsible for the alleged functioning of a single female officeholder. In the case of male presidents, it has never been concluded that a man should therefore never again be allowed to become president.
”The NDP Women’s Forum is therefore clear: the presidency is not a male right, and leadership knows no gender. Our Constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender. The highest offices in the country ought to be open to every Surinamer who possesses the required integrity, competence, vision, and trust to serve the people. Not gender, but suitability and performance should be the standard.”
The political group said that in her office, President Geerlings-Simons represents not only a government or a political party, but that “her presidency confirms that women can hold our country’s highest constitutional office based on their own capabilities.
“We therefore do not accept that women are called into question again as a group whenever a female administrator is criticized. Women do not have to prove their right to lead time and again. We are not decorations within politics, nor an electoral springboard, nor an addition when it suits them politically. We are full-fledged citizens, voters, candidates, administrators, and leaders of this country.
”The NDP Women’s Forum therefore expects from Mr. Van Samson not only an explanation of what he claims to have meant, but also an unequivocal acknowledgment of the hurtful and exclusionary effect of his words, followed by sincere apologies to the women and girls of Suriname.”
Also condemning the statement is the women’s arm of the Party of Communication (PVC) that said “we resolutely reject any form of stereotyping and discrimination based on gender.
”Political leadership should not be judged by whether someone is a man or a woman, but by vision, integrity, expertise, and the willingness to serve the people. The PVC has consciously chosen to give women a prominent place on its list of candidates.
“We call upon all political parties, elected representatives, and public officials to conduct the societal and political debate with responsibility. Words have impact. Statements by political leaders contribute to the shaping of societal norms and must never lead to the discouragement or exclusion of women who wish to assume administrative responsibility,” it added.
During the parliamentary debate on Thursday, Speaker Ashwin Adhin, noted that Van Samson had not demonstrated that he had been misquoted.
CMC/ag/ir/2026