Portia Simpson Miller -- popularly known as ``Sista P'' -- pledged to rid Jamaica of violent crime plaguing the country, root out corruption and protect human rights as she was sworn in as the Caribbean nation's first female prime minister.
Simpson Miller, took the oath of allegiance to her country on Thursday before thousands of people, including top Caribbean leaders and Nation of Islam's Louis Farrakhan.
"The first pledge I make as prime minister is to advance human rights and individual liberties. Each individual is sacred and none is better than the other," said Simpson Miller, 60, who received loud cheers from her supporters at the swearing in on the lawns of King's House.
PHOTO: AP
"I pledge to work tirelessly to end all corruption and extortion. Both of these diminish our economic potential and I will do everything in my power to break the power of the criminals," she said.
Born in the rural parish of St. Catherine, Simpson Miller became a long-serving member of parliament. She represented South East St. Andrew Parish -- a crime-ridden slum that she says can be transformed with better schools and more economic opportunity.
She beat three opponents to take over leadership of the ruling People's National Party from P.J. Patterson, who led Jamaica for the past 14 years.
She said her ascension to Jamaica's leadership post was "a true manifestation of the Jamaican dream. This indicates that any child regardless of circumstances can rise to the top."
Patterson's administration was dogged by scandals and allegations of corruption while the economy lagged and the crime rate soared -- a record 1,671 homicides were committed last year in the nation of 2.6 million.
Rupert Lewis, a political science professor at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, said Jamaicans expect to see things change under Simpson Miller.
"Because she's a woman from the grass roots the expectation is higher and it's going to be tough," Lewis said.
Simpson Miller has pledged to work with the opposition -- though leaders of the Jamaica Labor Party say she so far has offered nothing new for the country.
Simpson Miller's supporters say they hope that her becoming the first female prime minister will inspire others in a country where about 12 percent of political posts are held by women.
"The fact that she is a woman does have a symbolic and motivating effect for other women to get involved in politics," said Joan Browne, spokeswoman of the Jamaica Women's Political Caucus. "Already it has galvanized women who never thought they would enter politics."
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