Calls for Change in Policies to Foster Gender Equity

Several calls are being made for changes to longstanding policies within government and private sector organizations in an effort to achieve gender equity. Stakeholders hosted a number of events on Tuesday to tackle the issue of gender bias and violence against women. These calls are just in time for the celebration of International Women’s Day. 

As the world celebrates women on March 8, several female leaders and organizations locally have been vocal in communicating the need for a change in some policies, to foster a culture of equal opportunities for men and women. The Jamaica Defence Staff is among several government entities that has implemented a gender optimization policy to achieve gender equity.

Speaking at a forum Tuesday afternoon, Chief of Defence Staff Rear Admiral Antonette Weymss-Gorman said the JDF mandates, in all aspects of the army, there must be at least 25 per cent of the gender that is minimally represented. 

The PNP Women’s Movement is also calling for policy change to level the playing field for women. President of the movement Patricia Duncan-Sutherland says there’s still a disparity in wages between genders. She says it’s not often noticed because there’s a lack of wage transparency in Jamaica. The Private Sector Organization of Jamaica, (PSOJ) is urging companies to implement family paid parental leave and greater support for women-led businesses.

The PSOJ says it notes strides made towards gender equality, and continues its involvement in the amendment and Passage of pieces of legislation that impact women’s ability to perform effectively in the work place.