charles.kongsoo@guardian.co.tt
Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) president Brian Lewis says there is still a glass ceiling to be shattered in society.
He was speaking at the sixth iteration of Advancing Women in Leadership with the theme - “Now Is Our Time”, hosted by the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) virtually, yesterday.
Lewis said, “The most important thing is not to fall into the trap of complacency.
“While we’ve made significant progress, we’ve moved from the coal pot to electric stoves, bicycles to electric vehicles.
“The reality is we still have far to go. Sport is a microcosm of society; in sport, there is still a glass ceiling of sexism, racism, and antagonism toward transgenders.”
He said his concern in the context of equality and equity was that too many times history was not respected and recognised and those who have laid the groundwork such as Dr Anita White, one of the masterminds behind the World Conference on Women and Sport, which began in Brighton, UK, in 1994 and other pioneers.
Diane Henderson, the first woman and the 11th president of TTOC replied that it was important to build on the contributions of the women and men at the conference.
She said it created the opportunity for necessary dialogue and awareness as the Olympic Committee continued its push for gender equity and equality in the TTO movement and it was one of her priorities.
Dr Karrian Hepburn Malcolm, the managing director of Guardian Media Limited, and one of the panellists said she had experienced the same challenges as other women in an enabling environment, opportunities to be themselves, in their space and a support system were critical.
She shared what she went through when she consoled a friend recently who was going through some trepidation about her pregnancy about letting her employer know about her condition, and she had a prospective job offer on the table.
Hepburn Malcolm explained that her friend was worried if she should tell her boss or not if they saw her baby bump, and what will they think of her.
She replied that she could literally see the trauma her friend was going through as a tradeoff in being pregnant and making a career decision.
Hepburn Malcolm replied that she knew that feeling all too well in seeking to advance her career, as she started a new job and also became pregnant.
Hepburn Malcolm said her fears were allayed as her boss was very understanding.
However, she still felt the pressure to perform, she travelled on business trips while she was pregnant, which entailed early flights, late dinners, and meetings and she almost felt she couldn’t ask for a time out.
Hepburn Malcolm persevered and wanted to make sure she showed up, her ankles were swollen, and she was dead tired but was determined to prove she was as competent as anyone on the trip.
The forum was moderated by Nicole Duke-Westfield also included panellists Olympian shot putter Cleopatra Borel, Racquel Moses, Chief Executive Officer at The Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator/TTOC Executive member and Dr Sasha Sutherland (Barbados), Executive Director Caribbean RADO, Olympian Tricia Smith, president Canadian Olympic Committee, Level Five coach, Nadine Leach-Carter, Supervisor-Customs and Excise Division; Elizabeth Belcon, Chair of the Beausejour/Patna Committee on Sustainable Community Development; Esther Noel, Current chair of the Supervisory Committee of the Guaymay Energy Alliance Credit Unit (GEACU), Cindy Allman, Bookstagrammer, Social Media Influencer, Caribbean girl reading the World, Christina Boodoosingh, founder and CEO of Chaguaramas Farms Ltd (U Pick Farms), Evy Parkinson, Founder & Mind, Body Transformational Therapist at Harmoniousinfinity, Martin De Gannes, HR Consultant and Hydiane Harper-Simmons, Youth Development Officer, Ministry of Youth Development and National Service.
