“WOMEN can do the same things like men, but because we live in a male-dominated society, we are culturally oriented to accepting male dominance,” said attorney-at-law Wendell Wilkins in explaining why so few women are represented at the highest levels of leadership in Jamaica. “There is a tendency to restrict or discriminate against the input of women.”

The Women’s Resource and Outreach Centre, in partnership with other entities, has been advocating increased women’s participation, even as many women have made significant strides in their educational and professional development, they are still underrepresented in political leadership and at the level of boards and commissions. But oftentimes the culture of male domination can be crippling.

As observed by Canadian writer Margaret Atwood, “we still think of a powerful man as a born leader and a powerful woman as an anomaly”.

However, there is a growing number of men who believe that women have a lot to offer and that more of them should take their seat at the leadership table. Among the female qualities that some men admire is the fact that women pay more attention to detail and are capable of multitasking.

In fact, a recent study shows that an increasing number of men believe that because of these qualities, more women should be in leadership, particularly at the level of boards and commissions. Chief Executive Officer of Jamaica Electrical Technologies, Calman Barrett, is one of them.

In terms of the specific qualities that women bring to the table, the CEO feels that women are more conscientious than men.

“Women are more responsible and women are more willing to work hard [and bring] creative, new and dynamic ideas. I have no apologies for saying that as a man, because I have the experience working with them.”

In terms of who works harder, Wilkins doesn’t quite accept that women work harder as a general rule, but instead pointed to how gender discrimination can place a woman in a tough position. He explained that, “in certain situations, because of the culture of male domination and chauvinism, you find that men would want to give women a longer experience run for them to prove themselves before they are granted any reward or promotion, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are harder workers. It is just that sometimes hurdles are put in their way to prove themselves so it might appear that they work harder.”

While the jury may still be out on which gender works harder, both Barrett and Wilkins want to see more women in leadership positions. “They should be everywhere once they can produce. They can be by my side, not be behind me. They can be in front, beside me, it doesn’t matter once the work is done,” said the attorney.

Indeed, for these men, women being confined to the home is an archaic notion. Furthermore, all the skills garnered in running a household can be transferred to other professions as Barrett explained.

“I realise that the responsibility that women have in running a house is similar to that which is expected in leadership positions and if they can run a household successfully, why can’t they do it in the boardroom?”

Certainly this type of cultural transformation among men and society in general is necessary if more women are to step up to the leadership table. Their sentiments bring to fruition the words of American civil rights leader Susan Anthony who declared that, “the day will come when men will recognise women as their peers, not only at the fireside, but in councils of the nation. Then, and not until then, will there be the perfect comradeship, the ideal union between the sexes that shall result in the highest development of the race”.

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