St. John’s, Antigua (3 November, 2016) – A recent report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which is the Caribbean Human Development Report suggests that Antigua and Barbuda has the lowest percentage of firms headed by female managers, with only 17.5% of local firms having female managers in top positions and the other 82.5% dominated by men.
This issue of Women’s Inequality was discussed on Observer AM, with host Darren Matthew-Ward of Observer Radio. The discussion panel comprised Ms. Sandra Baptist, FCCA via telephone, who is the Lead Auditor and Financial Strategist of PACCS Inc. Ms. Baptist is a Chartered Director, Business Growth Agent and Certified Coach guiding entrepreneurs to catapult their businesses to the highest levels of profitability . Ms. Baptist is also the Ambassador of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Antigua Barbuda, WINC Facilitator and Founder of the Antigua Barbuda Association of Small Business Owners. Joining this discussion via telephone is Yaneek Page who is the Founder and Managing Director of Future Services International Limited (FSIL), which is a pioneering company and legal funding in Jamaica. Ms. Page is a Certified Trainer in Entrepreneurship, she is the Creator and Executive Producer of Innovators Business TV series.
In studio with Mr. Matthew-Ward, was Kathy Hodge, Partner with Grant Thornton in the firm’s Assurance and Audit Services. Ms. Hodge has been employed for several years in Accounting and Auditing and has worked in territories throughout the Caribbean.
Yaneek Page informed that based on the findings of this report, there is a cause for concern and intervention and that the results will definitely affect economic empowerment and economic growth. Page stated “One of the things that has been done in the Caribbean and Latin America was to actually form coalitions and substantial movements that are specifically driving an increase in the number of women in leadership positions and so for example in Jamaica we have what is called the 51% coalition which is a very strong movement of women who have been trained to sit on boards, all of which have been trained in management and strategic management.”
Sandra Baptist, FCCA is of the view that Antigua needs to set up to the plate: no glass ceiling, to become on par with other Caricom countries and countries around the world. Baptist emphasized, “I think it is a complex issue it could be the old boys’ club, quote/ unquote, men have been leading companies and corporations for a while. To get to that level it’s going take a little work from both parties. Also, in my opinion it could be the physiological issues of women, women are faced with insecurity, the higher up the ladder you go, the more responsibility you hold, the more risky it is. Women on the whole need to decide that no one is going to stop me, we are moving up the ladder and there is no glass ceiling. Women need to learn to ask and be more confident and self assured. All of this is necessary in order to lead the companies, organizations and the country.”
Kathy Hodge informed that immediately she was a bit taken aback and a bit surprised that Antigua’s percentage was so very low. Hodge expressed, “Having the opportunity to read the report and contextualized the United Nations Caribbean Development findings in this particular area, one of the most alarming things that I can say within the context of the empirical data is that the average is looking like 40%, Antigua is way below what is consistently the average within our region. Just basic common sense, one would suggest that 50% is where we ideally ought to be if we are maximizing the use of our human capital whether male or female.”
To conclude, the Ladies all agreed that more support needs to be given to Women Leaders and Female Entrepreneurs in Antigua and Barbuda. More Women Entrepreneurs will result in the benefit of the Economy. Women bring more to the table and by employing women in managerial positions and promoting women up the Corporate ranks, the Economy on a whole will benefit.
Please click on the play button below, to listen to the complete broadcast interview.
End