#EachforEqual
Published:Monday | March 9, 2020 | 12:14 AM
The theme for international Women’s Day 2020 is #EachforEqual which focuses on building a gender-equal world, which will be healthier, wealthier and more harmonious. The World Economic Forum, a non-aligned European-based intellectual group, indicated that Jamaica is making impressive progress towards gender equality in the workplace. Jamaica is ranked 41 in the Global Gender Equality Chart and is experiencing a new consciousness.
Though times are changing, women are still largely under-represented on corporate boards globally, and progress to change this trend continues to be slow. The 2020 Global Gender Gap Report stated that women account for a little more than half the population in Jamaica, yet only 32 per cent of top managers at firms and 21 per cent of parliamentarians.
As more women strive to break the glass ceiling, many are pressured with the idea of “having it all”. Former First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama once said, “You can have it all, just not all at the same time”. Though we are flexible, dynamic beings, we need to be careful with how much we take on at once, and not be strained by what the ideal ‘super woman’.
The race is on for gender-equal boardrooms, government, media coverage, workplaces, sports coverage, and more gender equality in health and wealth ... so let’s make it happen! We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements.
Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender-equal world. Let’s all be #EachforEqual.
Story by Latara Boodie