Newly appointed Senator Angelica O’Donoghue says one of her main goals in the Upper House will be helping the public better understand legislation while advocating for reparations, youth development and gender parity.

Speaking after Friday’s swearing-in ceremony at Government House, O’Donoghue described her appointment as both emotional and deeply rewarding, reflecting on what she called a journey of growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

“First of all, I feel blessed,” she said. “I’ve had an interesting journey — having moved back to Antigua and engaging with the Prime Minister Gaston Browne… his constant trust and push to grow and build capacity to be here today.”

O’Donoghue said her background in communications and storytelling would heavily influence her work in Parliament, particularly when it comes to explaining legislation to ordinary citizens.

“As a communicator, I want to ensure that the public can have a better understanding and appreciation for the bills at the table,” she said.

“Sometimes information is kind of lost in translation. Some things may be a bit too unable to be palatable, unable to be easily digestible,” she added.

The new senator said she wants citizens to feel more connected to the legislative process and understand the impact laws and amendments have on national development.

“My main goal is to ensure that the Antigua and Barbuda public fully understands and appreciates the laws that we make and the laws that we amend, so they can understand and be part of the development of Antigua and Barbuda,” O’Donoghue said.

Describing herself as “a storyteller” and “a communicator by trade and profession,” O’Donoghue said the public could expect clearer communication from her in Parliament.

“Whatever I bring to Parliament, the very first thing — you’re going to understand what is happening,” she said.

Beyond legislative communication, O’Donoghue outlined several policy areas she intends to champion in the Senate, including reparations advocacy, social justice, youth development and gender parity.

“As you know, I’m a reparations advocate, so I do plan to bring a lot of those issues when it comes to social justice and historical justice and reparatory justice to the forefront,” she said.

She noted that Antigua and Barbuda’s hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting later this year could provide additional opportunities for reparations discussions.

“We do have Commonwealth Heads of Government coming up later this year… so you can expect that as well,” O’Donoghue said.

“Youth development, gender parity — all these are areas that I intend to definitely bring to the Parliament, to the Upper House of Antigua and Barbuda,” she added.

O’Donoghue also welcomed the growing representation of women in Parliament and praised what she described as the Browne administration’s commitment to gender parity.

“This has been the mandate of the Gaston Browne administration,” she said. “Gender parity has been big on his agenda to ensure that the voices of everyone are well represented in both houses.”

The senator argued that increased female representation in Parliament would help ensure legislation better reflects the interests of women, children and vulnerable groups.

“Oftentimes… we bring laws, and it doesn’t necessarily reflect the society. It doesn’t necessarily reflect the interests of women, children, and those vulnerable,” she said.

“Having more women in the Upper House simply means that the bills we present will reflect the interests of everyone,” O’Donoghue added.

O’Donoghue was among 10 government senators sworn in Friday as Parliament continues to be reconstituted following the April 30 general election.