Prime Minister commits to gender equity on boards
Published:Thursday | March 8, 2018 | 12:00 AM
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has pledged that the Government will do a better job in promoting and selecting more women to the boards of public bodies.
Holness's declaration came on the same day as a Gleaner article titled 'Women's rights under threat', by the Rev Devon Dick, was published. Dick proposed that the prime minister mandate all government boards and commissions to include, at least, one woman, or "better yet, have a 60:40 men-to-women ratio on government boards".
Speaking at a special International Women's Day Breakfast hosted at Jamaica House on Thursday, Holness acknowledged that despite 15 female parliamentarians in both the Senate and House of Representatives, more women must also be named to sit on and chair parliamentary committees.
"This time around, we will ensure that we are proactive and deliberate in ensuring a gender balance in the selection of our boards," said Holness.
"Many of our boards are now up for renewal. We will ensure that more women are selected to be chairmen and to sit on the committees," he added.
Increase in employment
The prime minister pointed out that there was a four per cent increase in female employment for the period October 2016-17, totalling 22,000 more women employed to the labour force.
In acknowledging Inter-national Women's Day, Holness expressed gratitude for all women in the society.
"Today, it's not just a symbol," said Holness. "It is a meaningful expression of the Government's celebration of the role and achievement of women and an endorsement of all the actions for advocacy and support for the continued development of women in our society for the increased participation of women in the society."