The Prime Minister of Jamaica is a woman- Portia Simpson Miller. Many women run civil society organizations, and I have heard the argument that while men still hold the top positions in board rooms and bureaucracies, women run the country. Contrast this with the fact that boys finish high school at drastically lower rates than girls, they attend university at much lower rates than women and they are engaged in violent, criminal and illegal activities at much higher rates than women.

So why would Jamaica have a Bureau of Women’s Affairs? Cuso volunteers pondered this question on Friday, courtesy of a workshop on gender mainstreaming organized by Erin MacLeod. It was a fascinating look into the country’s official psyche on women’s affairs. In any country, gender is a complex subject that sparks controversy no matter what. Jamaica is no exception. Cuso is also looking to bring “gender mainstreaming” into its policy fold, so we are engaging in informing ourselves while Erin does extensive research as part of her placement.

So, here is a summary of what we learned: A women’s desk was established under the Ministry of Youth and Culture in 1974. In 1987, a national policy statement was created and over the years, the ministry has been shuffled around to fall under different portfolios. However, it is instructive to read the mission statement, as well as the 10 goals of the policy statement. Here they are:

MISSION STATEMENT
To enable women to achieve their full potential as participants in Jamaica’s social, cultural and economic development and with equitable access to and benefits from the country’s resources.

National Policy Statement on Women
In 1987, the Government of Jamaica adopted a National Policy Statement on women. The ten goals of the policy statement cover:
1. Increasing access to employment and income
2. Upgrading women’s skills and increasing their access to credit and markets
3. Improving pay, working conditions and promoting the diversification of women’s employment opportunities
4. Ensuring available, affordable, adequate child care services
5. Providing adequate protection and means to redress women and children who are victims of family violence, incest, rape and sexual harassment
6. Improving housing supply and terms of acquisition to assist women in the provision of shelter for themselves and their families
7. Eliminating legal discrimination and implementing reforms necessary for the protection and advancement of women
8. Ensuring that the provision and distribution of basic services between men and women is equitable
9. Promoting women’s rights to contraception and choices about the number of children they desire.
10. Ensuring equal rights for females in all areas of education

Interestingly, a “Male Desk” was created in 2009, although it is currently vacant after the change in administration in 2011.

Mrs. Williams of the BWA started the presentation by asking us to consider the difference between gender and sex. Gender is a social construct, while sex is a biological reality. So for the BWA, gender mainstreaming can be defined as the:

“Process of assessing the implications for women and men of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programs in all areas and at all levels.”

Cuso volunteers then engaged in a fruitful and lively discussion about how we experience gender in Jamaica, both professionally and personally.

In terms of Cuso’s approach to gender mainstreaming, it will frame its research into how gender is incorporated into these six areas: education, health, violence, employment and entrepreneur, leadership and climate change.

It appears to be a tough go in terms of reaching civil society with the message of gender mainstreaming, but the BWA has presented 18 government departments with its message to date. Apparently, everybody is very receptive.

I will leave you with Mrs. Williams’ own words on the subject:

“Men and women have various lived experiences in these areas.”

“Gender equality is about equal chances and opportunities.”