COUNT HER IN – ACCELERATING GENDER EQUALITYTHROUGH ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
The ringing of the Opening Bell sounded at the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) on March 08, 2024, symbolising the opening of the stock market for trading, but more significantly that moment, to commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD). Women representing various industries, sectors and institutions in Jamaica converged at the JSE to celebrate this day under the theme “Count Her In – Accelerating Gender Equality Through Economic Empowerment”, in support of the overarching IWD 2024 campaign theme ‘Inspire Inclusion’.
“It is my pleasure to have you join us today, both in person and online, for our bell-ringing ceremony in honor of International Women’s Day 2024. We are ever grateful to be cohosting this event again with UN Women,” said Dr. Marlene Street Forrest, Managing Director of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, as she presented the welcoming remarks. “The event underscores the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s commitment to gender equality, a cornerstone for the economic and social development of our nation”. She added that the day represented not only a celebration of the achievements of women across all spheres but also emphasized the collective pledge as women to be ‘All in’ and inspire others to accelerate the progress toward gender equality through economic empowerment.
Dr. Street Forrest remarked that “We stand in solidarity with global exchanges today, marking International Women’s Day as a pivotal moment to advocate for women’s rights and push forward their advancement.” She mentioned that statistics at the JSE reflected that “Over the last five years the number of women on boards have increased to 30% and for 18 the representation is 50:50.” She emphasized that this is a journey as there existed eight companies with no female representation.
Ms. Tonni Ann Brodber, Representative, UN Women Multi Country Office – Caribbean, conveyed her pleasure being able to join the ceremony. She stated that Ringing the Bell Ceremony highlights the commitment and collaborative efforts amongst the private sector and governments to promote gender equality.
Ms. Brodber commented that the JSE along with 100 stock exchanges are hosting similar ceremonies “To bring attention the private sector can play in advancing equality to achieve its sustainable development goals and raise awareness about the women’s empowerment principles.” These principles she said, “Guide businesses on how to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community”, which “means that women have equal opportunities to participate on the same footing as men in the economy and in the society at large; this includes in the socio-cultural setting and in the political decision making.” She encouraged listed companies to sign on and commit to gender equality, especially in the boardroom.
“Today’s observance serves a powerful reminder of the remarkable contributions and enduring resilience of women around the world”, echoed Ms. Latoy Lawrence, Senior Marketing Manager of FLOW. She stated that the day “Honours the progress we have made, acknowledges the challenge that lie ahead and reaffirm our commitment to accelerating gender equality through economic empowerment.” She commented that only when we harness the talents of women will we unlock new pathways to innovation, productivity and prosperity for all.”
Ms. Lawrence proudly informed the audience that “At Flow, 52% of our People Managers are women and 63% of our Senior Leadership are women.” She further stated that FLOW is committed to gender equality.
through its implementation of a range of initiatives to empower women at every level of the organization.
“I love to ring the bell”, said the Honourable Olivia Grange, MP, CD, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport in her presentation. This year’s theme she said, “Represents a call to action to prioritize economic empowerment of women and girls who continue to face economic challenges and constraints.” She remarked that as the Minister with responsibility for gender affairs, she gets the calls every day. “Its not that easy for women to get the funding support they need”, she added.
Minister Grange informed the audience that “In Jamaica, only 46% (604,500) are women of those employed in the labor force.” She stated that among those employed, women consistently earned less and get less secures jobs. She thus implored all stakeholders to invest in women so that they can achieve economic empowerment. She listed some of the initiatives being taken by the Government to empower women:
- Through the Bureau of Women’s Affairs, a women’s empowerment programme to provide funding to small business entrepreneurs.
- Provision of safe shelters for women who are experiencing abuse.
- Provision of skill training for women to make them financially independent.
Minister Grange applauded the JSE and UN Women for executing an event of such a high calibre. She encouraged them to continue to host the event “Because it places the spotlight on the empowerment of women and girls all year round and not just on International Women’s Day.” She ended by quoting Michelle Obama: “No country can ever flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprive itself of the contribution of half of its citizens”.
Mrs. Terry-Ann Segree-Brown, Strategy, Programming and Innovation Lead Officer, Private Sector Regional Coordinator, CCB, IDB Invest told the audience that women-led SMEs continue to face challenges. “IDB and IDB Invest are allies to promote gender equality through the private sector.” She stated that “IDB Invest’s mission is to create a more inclusive and equal private sector in Latin America and the Caribbean where women have the same opportunities as men to participate and to benefit from economic development and growth.” She also echoed the call to action to invest in women and accelerate progress.
She further remarked that “We work with the private sector companies to integrate gender perspective throughout the investment lifecycle providing both financing and technical assistance to improve the products and offerings with a gender lens.”
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the panel discussion based on the theme, “Count Her In – Accelerating Gender Equality Through Economic Empowerment. The 5-women panel comprisedH.E. Angie Martinez, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Jamaica, Senior Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, Head of Corporate Communications Unit JCF, Mrs. Patricia Duncan Sutherland, President, People’s National Party Women Movement, Mrs Maxine Fisher-Casserly, Chief Architect, Urban Development Corporation and Ms. Kamia Hamilton, Senior Product Manager, C&W Business.
H.E. Angie Martinez, spoke on the number of women present in the Diplomatic Corps. She said that globally women are 1/3 compared to men. For the Dominican Republic she said, “although its 93/94 for career diplomats, at the ambassadorial level the numbers are 72 men to 30 women in the foreign service. “Globally, women are underrepresented at the leadership of the Ambassador level.” She proudly stated, however, “I am a testimony of the willing and clear policy of the Dominican Republic Government to empower and give the opportunity to more female Diplomats to be Ambassadors.”
Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay also spoke on the number of women represented in the JCF. “One of the largest work forces in Jamaica, with 14,000 members, 3,094 (22%) are women and at the leadership level, out of 331, 95 are women.” She said that they have come a long way from three women in the force 75 years ago. She added that although women are now given some level of prominence, they are yet to have a female Commissioner, like the head of the JDF, but it’s very possible. “I believe that the JDF is moving in the right direction in terms of positioning women in leadership,” she told the audience.
Mrs. Patricia Duncan Sutherland addressed the issue of nurturing women in the society. “The inequality of our society is driven by deep seated belief system that women cannot be leaders and cannot be equal participants within our society.” She listed some of the areas to address in order to facilitate social protection of women:
- Support for survivors of domestic abuse to make them financially independent.
- Public education at the school and community level
- Menstrual equality policies and laws including Menstrual Leave
- Family support
- Equal pay for equal work
She said what was needed is an army of social workers to address the many issues that women face in the society not only globally, but individual partnerships.
Ms. Kamia Hamilton of FLOW spoke on whether the skills set requirements for the telecom field attracted more males than females. She said that “There has been an increase in the number of female entrants in the telecoms field, specifically, as it concerns the technical skill sets.” She said Cyber Security is one area that is not gender specific and where women have opportunities to close the gender gap. She added that over the past five years more females at FLOW have transitioned from traditional roles to more technical roles.
Mrs Maxine Fisher-Casserly of UDC gave advice on how to thrive in a male dominated corporate space. She said, firstly, to make sure that it is a passion, that is something that you really want to do. “Make sure that your qualifications are solid. Continue to build yourself up. Continue to grow”. This she said will “Open up opportunities for you that you can never imagine.”
The panellists shared some pitfalls for women to avoid in the corporate space: Don’t small up yourself, speak up, demand to be heard, launch after opportunities when they are present, retain your identity, build yourself and focus on your goals and objectives.
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CONTACT:
JAMAICA STOCK EXCHANGE
Mr. Neville Ellis
Manager – Marketing & Communications
Tel: (876) 967-3271/322-0984
