Gender-based quotas needed in Jamaica
Published:Saturday | May 4, 2013 | 12:00 AM
The following is a submission from the 51% Coalition: Women in Partnership for Development and Empowerment through Equity.
The 51% Coalition thanks Mr Michael Dingwall ('Gender-based quotas wrong', Gleaner, April 26, 2013) for providing this opportunity to engage in a discussion on the need for gender-based quotas in Jamaica.
We welcome open dialogue and active engagement around this issue as a means of clarifying the importance of quotas and fostering an even greater understanding of the ways societies benefit from harnessing and utilising the skills and perspectives of women in decision-making.
Quotas are one way to ensure that women are given a fair proportion of what is available, meaning equal spaces to influence and effect positive change while making meaningful contributions to the development of all Jamaicans. It's really a matter of fairness, human rights, active citizenship and evidence of a true democracy.
no more than 60% of either gender
The quota system being proposed by the 51% Coalition relates to women on boards and commissions. We propose a gender mix of not more than 60 per cent and no less than 40 per cent of either gender on these decision-making bodies.
In fact, quotas are really only temporary measures. This was clearly outlined in the National Policy on Gender Equality. The policy states that the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) shall adopt, in keeping with the Convention to Eliminate Discrimination against Women, temporary special measures (TSMs) to accelerate equality between men and women.
Therefore, in order to close seemingly insurmountable gaps, the GOJ shall use TSMs, such as legislated gender quotas, to address the lack of proportional representation of women in Parliament. Such a measure could require a 30 per cent minimum distribution of women among persons appointed to the Senate and the board of public bodies. A gender analysis of the membership and chairpersons of 106 public boards, as of December 2012, reveals the following:
76 per cent of chairpersons are male and 24 per cent female.
38 per cent of boards with 20 per cent or less women.
15 per cent of boards with 21-30 per cent women.
35 per cent of boards with 31- 50 per cent women.
12 per cent of boards with 51 per cent or more women.
Total number of board members: 1,048
Total male board members: 705
Total female board members: 343
At the time of writing, women and men represent 13 per cent and 87 per cent, respectively, of members of parliament, while women and men represent 24 per cent and 76 per cent of senators, respectively. This data reveal the gender imbalances which have historically existed and continue to exist in public-sector boards as well as in Jamaica's legislature.
CORRECTING IMBALANCES
Therefore, in order to address these imbalances, the GOJ and the major political parties could use TSMs, such as legislated gender quotas, to improve the representation of women in public boards, the Parliament and the Senate. Such a measure could require a 30 per cent minimum of women among persons appointed to the Senate and the board of public bodies.
Economic analyses by the World Bank, The United Nations, Goldman Sachs and other organisations show a significant statistical correlation between gender equality and the level of development of countries. Quotas which lead to increased numbers of women in decision-making and to the inclusion of gender perspectives in national policy decisions are critical to human resource development in Jamaica. The experiences, abilities and insights of both women and men are a win-win solution for Jamaica.
We know that women's experiences across sectors, as professionals, as consumers, as caregivers, as managers of family resources, as practitioners of one kind or another, will bring different and diverse abilities, expertise and skills to their performances at the different levels of leadership, which men, by virtue of their different gendered roles, will not.
WOMEN TRAINED TO LEAD
Quotas are the most effective way of moving towards gender balance and of strengthening the organisation, voice and solidarity among women. This is a first step to bring women to the table of decision-making.
The Coalition has equipped and trained many, many women across Jamaica who are suitably qualified, committed and experienced, with a keen understanding of their responsibilities as leaders, and who have put themselves forward to serve in various spheres of leadership, primarily on public and private boards.
We hope to build on this momentum in the coming months and intensify our public education drive which, we believe, will give way to even more public dialogue and understanding of the role of quotas in human resource development.
Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and 51percentcoalitionjm@gmail.com.