In a world where men have dominated statistics for senior positions in most sectors, United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch has urged companies to hire more women, since they are linked to producing higher profits.
The Ambassador shared these remarks during the third annual Women’s Leadership and Business Conference, organised by WeLead Caribbean—a Guyanese-based non-profit organisation.
United States (US) Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch
“There is so much data which supports the notion when you bring women into the political and economic life of a country, the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) goes up and poverty rates go down. It’s proven that companies with more women in higher management positions achieve higher profits. It’s simple really, hire women and you will succeed,” she beckoned.
Lynch indicated that in many scenarios, women are faced with obstacles which hinder their growth. As a result of sexism, men are given importance or credit for the work of women.
“There are still barriers and obstacles for women to achieve their full potential. Talented women everywhere are working 24 hours a day and still get discouraged that they cannot seem to get ahead. Every day, sexism is still with us. We’ve all felt it. The meetings where your ideas are ignored and a man says the same thing and he gets the credit. The banks that won’t extend credit to you because you’re a woman,” the Ambassador related.
Throughout the session, motivational speeches were delivered by women across Guyana. Managing Director of Ansa McAL, Beverley Harper, shared some of the advantages of including women in a business environment.
“Organisations that develop and advance women will benefit for a number of reasons, specifically, they will access a large part of the available talent pool as well as employ individuals who reflect a substantial part of their consumer base,” Harper highlighted.
She underlined the prevalence of sexual harassment in the workplace, but there are other factors which prevent women from owning their own enterprises entirely. These are related to religion, culture and social trends. In other cases, their own timidity hinders the achievement of their true potential.
“We, as women, have to experience varying degrees of sexual harassment once we enter the workplace…Social and traditional constraints restrict women’s participation in business. Sometimes, religion hinders women from owning their own businesses and in some countries, women may be required to have a male partner to make the deals and be the face of the business”.
Meanwhile, First Lady Sandra Granger acknowledged that many women are creating their own businesses using their fashion, manufacturing, art and culinary skills. However, domestic violence continues to play a part in societal ills.
“Here in Guyana, we also confront the scourge of domestic violence which cuts across class, race, creed, age and geographic location. As women living in the 21st century, we still have to contend with Neanderthal concepts of a woman’s place and function. It baffles me that there is no greater outcry and/or action against acts of violence committed against women and children in our society,” Granger expressed.
The business conference also saw contributions from American singer Beyonce’s publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure.
