All Woman

Faith Innerarity's accomplishments

Monday, August 09, 2010

In observance of the Inter-American Year of Women and South Africa Women's Day, the Bureau of Women's Affairs specially recognises Faith Innerarity for her outstanding contribution to the public service as well as to international relations.

FAITH Innerarity is a multifaceted and talented individual who has an unparalleled commitment to excellence in all things. She is widely read, and people oriented, with excellent work ethics. To the extent that her personality is marked by determination, perseverance, Christian values and high standards, she is able to successfully motivate and inspire others. As a gender analysis specialist, she has made a significant contribution to social policy and has been able to strategically utilise her training and wealth of experience to negotiate treaties at the regional and international levels.

Her prowess in international relations facilitated her selection as a part of a special delegation of international social policy experts, which provided advice to the government of South Africa on the reshaping of its social protection system in the post-apartheid era.

The consummate professional, she has served as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture Youth and Sports and prior to being promoted to that position, was chief technical director in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, after serving as senior director social security for 10 years.

As a senior public official, she has contributed significantly to the development of social policies and programmes in Jamaica while serving in various professional and managerial capacities.

Innerarity is currently on sabbatical, pursuing doctoral studies in gender and development at the Institute for Gender and Development Studies, UWI. The primary focus of her research is on social protection and labour market issues to inform a gender sensitive approach in public policy. Her academic qualifications include the MSc in Sociology of Development and a post graduate diploma in Rural Development Planning. She has worked extensively with several social groups including women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable persons. Her experience allowed her to contribute to the crafting of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations, and she was instrumental in ensuring that Jamaica was the first country to ratify that convention.

A veteran in the public service, Innerarity has served with distinction for approximately 30 years and has wide knowledge and experience in executive and corporate management functions within the public sector.

An accomplished writer and scholar, her published works include articles in the International Social Science Journal (UNESCO) and a seminal publication on Women Food Producers in Jamaica sponsored by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture, which has been quoted extensively by other researchers. She has also contributed significantly to publications of the Planning Institute of Jamaica, namely the Jamaica Human Development Report and the Construction of Gender Development Indicators for Jamaica (2000).

As a social protection and labour market specialist, she has outstanding socio-economic research capabilities and expertise in inter-governmental negotiations in the UN system. An excellent communicator, she has proven leadership and managerial capabilities and has demonstrated the ability to build efficient partnerships and function effectively as a dynamic team leader and player.

Innerarity has been involved in decision-making processes at the highest levels of governance through membership on several boards and commissions. A distinguished representative to the United Nations Commission for Social Development, she served as chairperson of the commission in 2001 and 2002. She also created a historical first in being the pioneer female Caribbean national to be elected as chairperson of that body. In addition, she has also chaired, served as keynote speaker, and presented papers at many United Nations expert group meetings and other international fora on a range of social policy and other development issues.

She recalled her participation in the National Youth Service immediately after graduation from the St Andrew Technical High School in 1975 and proudly shared her memory of studying at the Mico Evening College for the GCE Advanced Level Examinations, while working full-time in the infant department at the Shortwood Practising School, her alma mater. She was ecstatic when in 1977 her hard work and dedication were rewarded as she passed all three A' level exams.

A firm believer in family values, Innerarity has been married for 29 years and has one adult son. A devout Christian and lay preacher, she embraces community development and has served a wide cross section of persons, particularly vulnerable children through active involvement in outreach ministry with social institutions such as Glenhope Place of Safety, Maxfield Park and the National Children's Home.

Innerarity values integrity above all else in public service, has a passion for social justice and is committed to ensuring that persons are treated with fairness regardless of their status or social position.

About how much did you spend for Valentine's Day?
	I don't celebrate Valentine's Day
	$1 - $2,500
	$2,500 - $ 5,000
	$5,000 - $7,500
	$7,500 -$10,000
	More than $10,000

View Results
Results published weekly in Sunday Finance

Username:
Password: