Senator Francis Heyliger One Step Closer to Abolishing Antiquated Gender Based Law

ST. THOMAS – Senator Alma Francis Heyliger convinced and received the support of her colleagues with her continued campaign to rid the Virgin Islands Code of an antiquated sexist law.

Senator Francis Heyliger introduced Bill No. 34-0035 amending title 16 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 1, subchapter III, section 61 relating to a wife’s name upon marriage. The current law states, “The wife shall bear the surname of her husband.” Francis Heyliger’s measure is designed to abolish this very law and gives women the right to choose their last name upon marriage.

The current law was written during a period when women were not valued and had no rights. Once a woman married, her entire worldly assets would now belong to her husband. “We cannot as a forward-thinking institution keep laws on the books that are detrimental to the progress of women in this territory.” Senator Francis Heyliger stated.

“I want to sincerely thank my colleagues for their support,’ Francis Heyliger said. “It is about time that we dispose of such sexist laws that has been in our code for the past 100 years. The times have changed, and we need to make sure that our laws reflect the way of life today and in the future.”

The measure which was before the Committee on Rules and the Judiciary garnered unanimous support from her colleagues and was voted out to the full body and should be heard during the next Legislative Senate Session.