Britain’s Independent on Sunday newspaper’s global survey to mark International Women’s Day has revealed that “Jamaica has the highest ratio of women in high-skilled jobs, such as legislators, senior officials and managers”.
The survey says that almost 60 per cent of these roles in Jamaica are filled by women.
In an editorial leading up to rankings in 20 different categories The Independent on Sunday reportedly explored “the best places to be a woman today.”
The outcome of the survey is not, however, without some measure of controversy. Dorothea Gordon-Smith, the past president of Women Business Owners Jamaica reportedly expressed surprise over the results of the survey.
“I am a little bit surprised, but gladly so,” Gordon-Smith is quoted as saying. “I know there are more qualified Jamaican women than men, but does that mean they are being preferred to males (in high-skilled jobs)? I can’t answer that question.”
Economic and Social Survey of Jamaica statistics reportedly indicate that although Jamaican women graduate from tertiary institutions at higher rates than men, they are twice as likely to be unemployed and employed in low-paying sectors.
