A woman Commissioner of Police?
Dear Mrs Macaulay,
As you are a well-known champion for women’s rights, do you think Acting Commissioner Novelette Grant can be appointed our next Commissioner of Police?
As a women’s rights advocate, I could answer your letter with one sentence but that would not suffice. You see, the fact that women are entitled to equal opportunity in the workforce does not imply that a female candidate for a certain position has to be appointed by virtue of her gender. What is required is that those with the power and authority to make the appointment do not exclude the woman because the position was traditionally occupied by men, and therefore, as she is a woman, they decide not to appoint her. This would be wrong and in breach of Jamaica’s international treaty obligations and of our Constitution.
Our Constitution, in the Jamaica (Constitution) Order in Council 1962, provides in Chapter III, the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, section 13(3)(i):
The right to freedom from discrimination on the grounds of —
(i) being male or female;
(ii)race, place of origin, social class, colour, religion or political opinions.
So any decision adverse to the fair consideration of a woman for a particular position on the basis that she is a woman and that the position has always been held by men would be contrary to this particular sub-paragraph of our Constitution.
In any event, anyone who knows Ms Grant and has had the opportunity of working with her in any way will be fully aware that she is eminently qualified to be the next Commissioner of Police. I myself have had the pleasure and honour of working with Ms Grant on a number of police training projects. I found her to be very committed to ensuring that the members of the force attain the highest level of knowledge and competence, and she was always fully prepared for her role in the sessions.
No one can deny that she is extremely intelligent, articulate, committed and highly educated and trained. In fact, I remember that I once told her after a particular session — and she had as usual been invaluable to the success of our work — that I could see her as our commissioner one day.
I hope that I have answered your question.
Margarette May Macaulay is an attorney-at-law, Supreme Court mediator, notary public, and women’s and children’s rights advocate. Send questions via e-mail to allwoman@jamaicaobserver.com; or write to All Woman, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5. All responses are published. We cannot provide personal responses.
DISCLAIMER:
The contents of this article are for informational purposes only and must not be relied upon as an alternative to legal advice from your own attorney.
