Still a hard climb for women

Updated - Observer column published 4 March 2019

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Malala Yousafzai

As we geared for International Women’s Day activities, we had to acknowledge that it is simply not true that “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world”.  To be clear, we feminists are not demanding that we rule the world, but rather, that girls and women have the same opportunities offered to boys and men.   

In too many countries, women are still regarded as second-class citizens and experience horrific treatment. Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by Taliban extremists in the Swat Valley of Pakistan when she was only 15 years old, because she was an active advocate, like her schoolteacher father, of education for girls. Miraculously, she recovered and continues her activism.

The website womankind.org has shocking statistics: “the abuser is usually someone the woman knows: 38% of all murdered women are killed by their partner. Of all women killed globally in 2012, it is estimated that almost half were killed by a partner or relative compared to less than 6% of men. (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2014) … Around 1 in 10 (120 million) girls worldwide have experienced sexual violence at some point in their lives. (UNICEF, 2014). At least 200 million girls and women alive today living in 30 countries have undergone female genital mutilation. (UNICEF, 2016) … A European Union survey showed that 34% of women with a health problem or disability had experienced violence by a partner in their lifetime, compared to 19% per cent of women without a health problem or disability. (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 2014)”

Here in Jamaica, we continue to be horrified by incidents of domestic violence in which women and children suffer the most. Women and girls are constantly harassed on our streets, and we seem to have strange priorities, dwelling on a harmless competition among young law students when there are so many crises demanding attention. We applaud Karen Madden’s post: “To whom it may concern: Stop perpetuating this asinine notion that it’s what women wear that gets them raped and/or harassed. Now go forth & be great!”

Dr. Denise Chevannes-Vogel, National Private Sector Specialist – Jamaica Win-Win Programme and  Desreé Ebanks, Programme Associate at the UN Women Caribbean Multi-Country Programme Associate in the UN Women Caribbean Multi Country Office  have enlisted women business owners to support the ‘Women’s Empowerment Principles’ (WEP). In agreement with their mantra that ‘gender equality means good business’, we have signed the statement of support. This emphasizes equality, not dominance, with pledges that include, “Encouraging economic and social conditions that provide opportunities for women and men, girls and boys; and Fostering sustainable development in the countries in which we operate.”

“Balance for Better” - excerpt from column by Jean Lowrie-Chin

published in Jamaica Observer - 11 March 2019

I don’t believe I have ever seen such a groundswell of Women’s Day observances in Jamaica.  The Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI), brainchild of the legendary Ambassador Sue Cobb used its 15^th Anniversary last Thursday to celebrate ten great Corporate Foundations led by women which have been doing extraordinary work in health, education, the environment and entrepreneurship.

On Friday morning, the dynamic Marlene Street-Forrest, CEO of the Jamaica Stock Exchange invited Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, diplomats and women business leaders to join her in the opening of the Stock Market. 

Later that morning, we attended a Symposium organised by Ms Grange’s Ministry in association with the Canadian High Commission and the European Union. The themes for the event: Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change, and #BalanceForBetter were discussed by two major presenters, Canadian High Commissioner Laurie Peters and Head of the European Union Delegation, Malgorzata Wasilewska.

Ms Peters noted that her government “places women and girls at the centre of what we do”, providing direct funding to women’s rights organisations worldwide.  She said that Canada would be supporting Jamaica’s national strategic action plan to reduce gender-based violence and promote sustainable practices for women farmers. She urged participation in the “Women Deliver” Conference to be held in June in Vancouver – a gathering of 7,000 world leaders and influencers.

Ms Wasilewska noted that women represented 43 percent of the world’s agricultural workforce, and if they had the same access to resources as men, would increase their production by 20 to 30 percent. She said that women must bridge the digital divide to benefit from the disruptive nature of technology. She said that EU has partnered with UN Women for their “Win-Win” programme with the them, gender equality means good business. She called for an enabling society for women as they are key to our living productive, prosperous lives.

At the Rose Leon Conference, Dr. Blossom O’Meally-Nelson noted that times have changed from those days that women were acculturated to be more accepting of male bosses and that she was seeing stronger support of women by women.  Indeed, that has been my experience. Let us continue to take the high road and bring others along in this burgeoning new world where we will enjoy ‘balance for better’.