This was according to President of the Business and Professional Women Rhoda St. John who was addressing a Meet & Greet ceremony held at the Prevo Cinemall on Thursday.
“We are at the forefront of gender equality in Dominica and we are happy about that,” St John said.
She continued, “We have women who are at the highest level in our society, we have women who hold the position of CEO’s or Directors, we have women who are business owners, we have women who are in Parliament, who are in government.”
She indicated that Dominica is unique when it comes to gender equality, “and we should be proud that we are actually leading the way in gender equality.”
“We should be proud to say that we do not have an issue where gender equality is concerned,” St John stated.
She went on to say that women are capable of performing the same jobs men are capable of.
“I know many women who drive tractors, operate backhoe, who climbs the electrical poles and do the same job as a man,” she explained.
Meantime, St John said there needs to be a platform where women can use the voice that they have been given and to be able to use their leadership skills.
“We have a lot of women in different sectors in society and it is time that we gave them a platform where they can develop their skills, develop their abilities, show off the qualities that they have,” she indicated.
The presence of women as CEOs, in business leadership is not an indication of gender equality in any country. Dominica has serious problems with gender equality! Presence does not equate inclusion , and presence of women at the highest levels society in a system of patriarchy means little. Are these women paid the same as men with the same qualifications? Is their work and ideas equally valued? Are they given equal dignity within the home and work? Before reflecting on these, read the work or Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie or at least watch her TED talk- we should all be feminists! Cheers
“We have a lot of women in different sectors in society and it is time that we gave them a platform where they can develop their skills, develop their abilities, show off the qualities that they have,” she indicated.
Ok, good observation. I take that BPW Association already has a plan to introduce and ensure that our women receive quality exposure to some training. Is that plan in motion Madam Rhoda St. John? We do not want to hear what is to be done, we want to hear that the plan is already in place to begin, first internal preliminary sessions for these women and that we build it up from there. I do not wish to see or hear of patronizing but action where our women are able to participate in this Programme. Good Luck Team. Go for it.
You would have been more convincing if your statements were supported by numerical evidence.
There is no problem with gender equality. How do you reconcile the fact that there were 28 new police recruits and all of them were males? There is a need for female police recruits. This country is governed in an ad hoc manner. The incompetence continues unabated.
this woman has no idea whats she is doing or talking about…
Leader, as a male with disciplined men friends and also disciplined women friends.
This is the statement above that you penned: “this woman has no idea what’s she is doing or talking about….”. I could say the same for you Leader, although you have not acted professionally as this “leader” you said you are, just does not represent you as a leader and it is unfair that you respond that way. I will humbly recommend that you do apologise for this statement where you have failed to share with us readers to comprehend your thoughts, with no evidence or sample of such matters that you penned. Please give us a hint of what you really meant.
Now, we need to know why: As Ibo penned: “There is no problem with gender equality. How do you reconcile the fact that there were 28 new police recruits and all of them were males? There is a need for female police recruits.” I agree.
Good observation Ibo, well structured that we men read on the merit of the issue. I agree and commend you on this…
There is no issue with gender equality but what about gender equity? These are two different issues.