WOMEN ON BOARDS IN THE FEDERATION OF ST. KITTS/NEVIS

DAWNE WILLIAMS

Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis (St. Kitts and

Nevis)

Snapshot of St. Kitts & Nevis

Stable Political system 98% literacy rate Modern Infrastructure Stable Currency (2.7 to US$) 2 Island, 1 Paradise Population: 45,000 Official Language: English 40 years Universal Access to Secondary

education

Country Facts

Males and females experience a fair level of development

Health

Education

Basic services such as water and sanitation

Men are dominant in leadership of resources in the economy.

While a growing numbers of women are in small business, they face

many gender-based barriers which limit their potential.

In politics, power is concentrated in the hands of men, despite women’s

active and strong contribution to the political process.

In 55 years, only 3 women have ever been elected to political office.

Gender Dynamics in St. Kitts & Nevis

Women account for 51% of the working population in St. Kitts/Nevis

There are nine statutory boards

Only 38% of these board members are females

The nine boards are all chaired by males

Women In The Workplace

Organisation Male Female Total

% # % #

Development Bank of St. Kitts & Nevis 71.4 5 28.6 2 7

St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank 55.6 5 44.4 4 9

St. Kitts Tourism Authority 77.8 7 22.2 2 9

St. Christopher Air & Sea Port Authority 66.7 6 33.3 3 9

Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College 66.7 4 33.3 8 12

St. Christopher & Nevis Social Security Board 61.5 8 38.5 5 13

St. Kitts Electricity Company 87.5 7 12.5 1 8

National Housing Corporation, St. Kitts 57.1 4 42.9 3 7

St. Kitts & Nevis Accreditation Board 40.0 6 60.0 4 10

Total 61 .9 52 38.1 32 84

Statistics

Stakeholders affirm that women’s role as the “backbone” of the

political parties and process is not reflected in their voice and presence at the table of decision-making.

Further, the discussion on the country profile so far demonstrates that the same barriers that are present in the labour market, education and social security system etc, pervade the political system.

These barriers are systemic, and lead to the undervaluing of women and girls.

Barriers

The changing of the mindset to embrace a new

paradigm of partnership between women and men and the sharing of power is part of the transformation process that is being engendered in small but hopeful way.

Reforms in education and training through Technological Vocational Educational Training (TVET) and in the opening of new pathways for women in the Women In Construction Trades (WICT) are steps taken to address the gender gap issues

Addressing The Gender Gap

Outlook For The Future

The shift has begun and recently a woman was appointed to chair the newest statutory board in St. Kitts-Nevis – The Sugar Investment Diversification Foundation.

60 % of the Permanent Secretaries are women.

The largest indigenous bank in the Eastern Caribbean, St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank Ltd, is now lead by a woman.

For the first time in the Federation’s history, the chairpersons of the two political parties are women.

In 2013, all of the banks in St. Kitts were being managed by women.

Women are being empowered in St. Kitts and there is a drive to ensure that happens at all levels and in all communities in the Federation.

End