#InspireInclusion

This year, as we celebrated International Women’s Day 2024, under the theme: #InspireInclusion, I answered an invitation to speak at the Annual International Women's Day Luncheon of Manpower Maintenance Services Group Limited. The relationship between Manpower Maintenance Services Limited and Cable & Wireless (Flow Jamaica) goes back some 20+ years. I shared the following message:

Background

This year’s theme underscores the crucial role of inclusion in achieving gender equality. It calls for action to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are valued and respected.?Inspire Inclusion ?encourages everyone to recognize the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalized communities.

Today’s observance is a powerful reminder of the remarkable contributions and enduring resilience of women around the world. It's a day to honor the progress we've made, acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead, and reaffirm our commitment to accelerating gender equality and inclusivity.

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Historical Context

Women have long been trailblazers in the fight for the rights of marginalized groups. From fighting for women’s right to vote, to the rise of feminism; Victoria Claflin Woodhull from the Equal Rights Party in 1872 becoming the first woman to run for the United States Presidency, and Kamala Harris - the first woman and first woman of color vice president of the United States, women have fought for equal footing throughout history.

Black seamstress, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama and that stance helped to launch the civil rights movement.

Closer home, Dr. Mary Seacole, a pioneering Jamaican nurse during the Crimean War, overcame racial prejudice to tend to wounded soldiers on the battlefield.

Your very own Founder and Chairman, Audrey Hinchcliffe - one of Jamaica’s finest businesswomen, stands tall among trailblazers. Her dynamic business acumen is well known for her sterling career in creating a service industry and establishing a homegrown woman-led empire that stands the test of time.

She faced many challenges through the years but her strength of character, her confidence, her boldness of spirit led her to become an illustrious ?example for future business leaders and aspiring Jamaican female leaders, in particular.

In her own words -“Success in any endeavour requires courage, a positive can-do attitude and stick-to-itiveness – a willingness to try, try and try again even when the odds seem to be stacked against you.”

I also applaud the recipient of this year’s Kareen Foster-Jones Scholarship Award and commend Manpower Maintenance Services for your commitment, in recognizing the achievements of women through your M’Power Women’s Group, dedicated to the “upliftment of women through work and education”.

By acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of women at all levels, you not only inspire future generations but also create a more inclusive and supportive work environment.

And, as a leading service company, Manpower Maintenance is well known for your support of Jamaicans, Jamaican businesses, and Jamaica.

While some glass ceilings have been shattered, others remain. But as ?Hilary Clinton said, as she accepted her US Presidential nomination in 2016, “When there are no ceilings, the sky's the limit.”

For too long, women, especially those belonging to underrepresented groups, have faced barriers when seeking leadership roles or economic empowerment.

The Current Landscape

This year’s IWD theme, “Inspiring Inclusivity,” resonates deeply with the ethos of both our organizations. It serves as a reminder of the progress we’ve made and the work that lies in achieving gender equality and empowering women to reach their full potential. According to [1]UN Women, a large gender gap remains in women's access to decision-making and leadership. And, based on the [2]United Nations Sustainable Goals, while there has been progress over the last decades, the world is not on track to achieve gender equality by 2030.

UN publication - [3]The World’s Women 2020: Trends and Statistics notes that women held only 28% of managerial positions globally in 2019 – almost the same proportion as in 1995. And only 18% of enterprises surveyed had a female Chief Executive Officer in 2020. Among Fortune 500 corporations, only 7.4%, or 37 Chief Executive Officers, were women.

In political life, while women’s representation in parliament more than doubled globally, it still had not crossed the barrier of 25% of parliamentary seats in 2020.

And, while women’s representation among cabinet ministers quadrupled over the last 25 years, it remained well below parity at 22%.

?Education and awareness play vital roles in fostering inclusion and empowering women. Through initiatives such as mentorship programs, educational workshops, and advocacy campaigns, individuals and organizations can create opportunities for women to thrive. By providing support and resources, women can be empowered to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential.

[4]The United Nations also recommends comprehensive policy action in the areas of health, education, work-life balance and support for families, and violence against women, which will in turn speed up efforts towards a more equitable and inclusive world.

Jamaica’s Vision 2030 National Development Plan makes a national commitment to re-dressing long-term systemic discrimination against women, identifying and overcoming the limitations to the empowerment of women and men and ultimately creating a society that values gender balance, equality and equity.

When women are empowered, communities thrive, businesses flourish, and societies prosper. It is through embracing our differences and championing equal opportunities that we can truly thrive as a society.

Like former US president, Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”

And, “You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it’s important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages,” – the words of Michelle Obama – the first black American first lady to occupy the White House.

?Inclusivity in the Workplace

At Flow, equality, diversity, and inclusion are guiding principles that shape our actions every day. As a business, we seek to promote Allyship - actively advancing a culture of inclusion through tolerance, acceptance, and respect.

Inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword; it's the cornerstone of everything we do. It's about creating an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. It's about recognizing and celebrating the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents that each person brings to the table.

At Flow, we understand the power of economic independence and the transformative impact it can have on individuals and their families.

That’s why initiatives like our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Parental Leave and Gender- Based Violence Policies are so vital.

Several employees – both men and women have benefitted from our Parental Leave Policy and, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Ministry of Entertainment, Culture and Gender, we’re? also currently facilitating the toll-free line, 1-888-NO ABUSE.

According to the [5]UN, around one third of women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner and globally, an estimated 137 women are killed by their intimate partner or a family member every day.

We believe that having access to the right communication in times of need is an invaluable resource and we’re proud that the Flow network can assist survivors of gender-based violence to find the help they need.

Our Employee Assistance Program is also a valuable resource, providing counseling, emotional support, and life assistance services, including:?

• Grief or stress
• Child or elder care
• Relationships
• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Legal or financial issues

By investing in the development and advancement of women within our organization, we not only create pathways for their success but also pave the way for future generations of female leaders. We’re committed to leadership equity, ensuring that women have equal opportunities to rise to the highest ranks of our company. Our commitment at Flow is demonstrated where 52% of our People Managers are women and 63% of our Senior Leadership also comprises women.

But our commitment to gender equality, diversity and inclusion extends beyond the walls of our company. Through partnerships and collaborations with organizations like Manpower Maintenance Services, we aim to drive meaningful change in our communities and beyond. By advocating for policies that promote gender equality in the workplace and supporting initiatives that provide women with access to education, training, and economic opportunities, we can create a more equitable and inclusive society.

Us men and boys also have a significant role to play in being better allies for women, by supporting gender equality and taking actions to address systemic issues of discrimination and inequality.

Here are some other ways that men can support:

• Take the time to educate yourself about gender issues.?
• Actively listen to women's voices and experiences without interrupting or dismissing them. Amplify their voices by sharing their ideas, achievements, and perspectives, especially in male-dominated spaces.
• Speak out against sexism, and gender stereotypes whenever you encounter them. This includes calling out inappropriate jokes, comments, and behaviors that perpetuate harmful attitudes towards women.
• Encourage and support women's leadership opportunities in workplaces, communities, and other domains. Advocate for gender-balanced representation in decision-making roles.
• Take an equal share of household chores and caregiving responsibilities. ?
• Avoid language or behaviors that reinforce gender stereotypes or contribute to a culture of harassment and discrimination. Be respectful and inclusive in your interactions with women.
• Advocate for policies and practices that promote equal opportunities for women in education, employment, and other areas of life.

Call to Action

We firmly believe that diversity and ?inclusivity are not only sources of strength but also catalysts for innovation and success. When we embrace different backgrounds, cultures, and viewpoints, we open ourselves up to new ideas, approaches, and solutions that have the power to propel our respective organizations forward.

But inclusivity isn’t just about diversity – it’s also about fostering a culture of belonging. It’s about ensuring that every employee, regardless of their background or identity, feels like they are an integral part of our team.

Advancing gender equality and inclusivity is therefore critical to all areas of a healthy society, from reducing poverty to promoting the health, education, protection and the well-being of girls and boys.

As we reflect on the strides, we've made towards gender equality and equity, it's essential to recognize that our journey is far from over. While progress has been made, there are still barriers to overcome, biases to challenge, and ceilings to shatter. But, through our individual actions, we can help to foster a more inclusive environment.

Today is a good day to? reaffirm our commitment to creating an environment where every individual, regardless of gender, feels empowered to reach their full potential.

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Closing

In closing, I want to thank every one of you for your dedication, passion, and commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable world.

Together, we can create a world where every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Together, we can make a difference by inspiring inclusion.

[1] https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/07/1138807

[2] https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/gender-equality/#:~:text=On%20average%2C%20women%20in%20the,and%20care%20work%20as%20men .

[3] https://www.un.org/en/desa/world%E2%80%99s-women-2020

[4] https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/07/1138807

[5] https://www.un.org/en/desa/world%E2%80%99s-women-2020