The message is still gender equality

Today, gender equality is just as relevant as it was in 1910, when International Women’s Day was first celebrated.

Despite legislative and social advancements in favor of women’s rights, women and girls in countries like Jamaica, continue to face discrimination,violence, and a lack of economic opportunity.

For its part, Jamaica has enacted legislation, which coupled with certain cultural shifts, aim to protect and enforce the rights of women. Incidences of inequality and violence, are therefore not as severe when compared with countries like Africa or Saudi Arabia, for example. But there are still areas of concern.

Domestic violence accounts for half the violent deaths of women in Jamaica. There are very high incidences of rape, most of which go unreported, and there are no laws for protection from sexual harassment.

Despite being more educated , and accounting for more than half of the population, women in Jamaica earn lower salaries than their male counterparts, and experience higher levels of unemployment. Women are also disproportionately represented among the decision making bodies. Only just over 14 percent of Jamaican parliamentarians are women.

This is of concern since gender equality, especially in areas of leadership, is now tied to economic growth. World bodies like the United Nations have defined gender equality in terms of human rights and economic development. The message seems to be, that there can be no sustainable development where gender equality does not exist.  Is it possible then, that a better representation of women among Jamaica’s leadership, could contribute to solving some of the country’s economic challenges ?

For gender equality to materialize, it is important that women challenge stereotypes, and take up positions of leadership where they exist, all while supporting each other in areas of weakness. On international Women’s Day 2014, I had the pleasure of having breakfast with a few of these women who are inspiring change in Jamaica. It was productive pleasure ! Please take a look at our  UK in Jamaica Facebook page for highlights.