Attorney General, Levi Peter, of the Commonwealth of Dominica, on September 27, 2023, launched a violent psychological attack on an indigenous woman, Nurse Anette Sanford.  

Mr. Peter, at the time was supposed to be giving congratulatory remarks to another indigenous woman Mrs. Sylvanie Burton, who had  won the majority votes to become the president of Dominica.  But instead, Mr. Peter chose to refer to Sanford as a "drumstick" put up by the Parliamentary Opposition as their nominee for president.  The Speaker of the House, Mr Joseph Isaac did not ask the AG to withdraw. 

This ridicule of Mrs. Sanford could mean the end of her political career, as well as the end for those women even thinking about one. It could also lead to  mental health issues for herself and her family or community ridicule of both.   The fact that the attack was committed by the Attorney General one could conclude that the government has legalized the denigrating of women in politics and in parliament - especially since Mr Peter is not the first on the government side of the house to verbally abuse women in politics in Dominica.

This despicable and disgraceful behavior towards women in or out of parliament need to be punished and stopped so that women will be comfortable pursuing careers in politics. It needs to be punished and stopped so that men   currently in politics will be deterred from repeating the behavior and those thinking of a political career will understand that disrespecting and ridiculing of women in politics is mentally injurious and is unacceptable.  Mr Peter needs to be sacked to send a strong message to all that all types of violence against women is injurious to the women, their families and the society at large.

Now is the time to stop Mr. Levi Peter from serving in the parliament, first, as a disciplinary action but also to prevent others from copying the behavior in the future.