Diversity & Inclusion
- debbie81555
- Feb 4
- 2 min read
I’m proud to be writing this piece for ASCO on Diversity & Inclusion, and acknowledging the breadth of this topic encompassing gender, age, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, education, and national origin.
ASCO’s business in the Caribbean is a part of the most diverse multicultural, multireligious and multinational regions of the world. Our Head Office located in Trinidad & Tobago is the epitome of Diversity as our staff comprises of Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Baptist and Catholic worshippers across many different races. Our multiculturalism is embodied in our local food which varies from Indian, Creole. Chinese, Arabic, Spanish and French influences.
Our expanding business into Suriname & Guyana embraces similar multicultural diversity in these South American countries.
And as I reflected on our celebrations for International Women’s Day earlier this year, I dare to ask the question of how far have we come and how far do we still have to go?
The Caribbean, however, has been a traditionally strong performer for women in the workplace. The subregion outpaces its Neighbours, and often the world, in terms of women’s employment and representation as managers and at the top of company hierarchies.
According to Eurocadres ILO Report – Women in Business and Management – Gaining Momentum in the Caribbean, Encouragingly, over 43 per cent of the surveyed Caribbean companies have exceeded the 30 per cent target of women board members that studies show is needed to create a critical mass and reap the benefits of gender diversity. Moreover, nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of Caribbean companies have achieved gender parity on their boards where the proportion of female board members is between 40 to 60 per cent. Increasing the number of women CEOs and women on boards is a key leverage point, and can create a multiplier effect for women at all levels of management across the Caribbean.
I am indeed proud to be a part of the ASCO team, who have now joined this elite groups of Companies in the Caribbean in increasing gender parity by selecting the talents of a female leader to increase organizational collaboration and employee engagement, as well as introducing more diverse problem solving - all contributors to increasing shareholder value.
Comments