Jamaica at 59.3 percent, leads the world (from a total of over 100 countries) in “Women’s percentage share of all managers”. It was disheartening, though not unexpected that only three (3) countries achieved the ‘distinction’ of breaking the fifty percent ceiling – Colombia (53.1%) and Saint Lucia (52.3%) were the other two. Importantly, 8 Caribbean countries made it among the top 20, with the percentage of female managers at 41 percent and above. In addition to Jamaica and St. Lucia, previously mentioned, are Bermuda at 43.5 percent, Barbados at 43.4 percent, Trinidad and Tobago at 43.1, Cayman Islands at 42.4, Belize 41.3 and Aruba at 41 percent. The ILO makes the point re gaps in data. The effects of this data gap must not be undervalued. For example, data from St. Lucia dates as far back as 2004, while for Jamaica it was from 2008. To what extent would the global recession of 2008/2009 impact the percentages of female managers in these and other Caribbean countries? While Jamaica and St. Lucia may be world leaders in the “percentage share of all managers”, their performance at the top leaves a lot to be desired. As a “Percentage of Firms with a Female Top Manager”, the Bahamas leads the Caribbean at 33.2 percent. Jamaica is a paltry 24.1 percent, behind Barbados at 25.4 percent. St. Lucia is 23.7 percent, while Trinidad and Tobago lingers at 20.8 percent. Women continue to be stuck in middle management positions while top management continues to be the domain of males. Let’s Go! The Caribbean region needs ‘all hands on deck’ at all levels, especially since, as the ILO report notes, “an increasing number of studies illustrate the links between women’s presence in top management and boards, and company results.” These companies do better on many of the markers of success such as profits and shareholder benefits. The responses of Jamaican women re their Vision for 2015 make clear that they know there is much more work to be done. Many are ready, willing and able. Let’s Go!
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 18:38:02 +0000
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