The Ministry of Community Affairs, Gender and Housing launched a public education campaign on gender equality on Saturday, 19 November 2011.
Visitors to the International Men’s Day Football Tournament and Expo on Saturday were the first to receive brochures and giveaways promoting the Gender Equality Law and the new website, www.genderequality.gov.ky. The Office of the Governor, through an Overseas Territories Programme Fund grant, and the Ministry of Community Affairs had provided joint funding for the campaign materials.
The website offers examples of international best practice, and interprets in plain language the Gender Equality Law. It provides a social and historical context for gender equality in the Cayman Islands, and highlights a variety of gender equality resources from the Caribbean and the world.
Furthermore local employers who visit the site have the option of taking an online pledge to promote the development of gender equality within their organisation. The names of employers, and the ways in which they have committed to ensuring equal opportunities for their employees, will be made public once they take the pledge.
In addition local radio, TV and cinema outlets have begun airing public service announcements (PSAs) encouraging members of the public to educate themselves about their rights and obligations under the law.
Community Affairs Minister Mike Adam comments that an informed public is necessary to ensure that effective use is made of the law.
“Whether they are an employee, employer, service provider or simply in receipt of goods and services, it is to the benefit of any individual to be aware of the provisions of the Gender Equality Law. I would also encourage local employers to take the online pledge and demonstrate to our community, and the world at large, their commitment to making the Cayman Islands a world-class jurisdiction in which to live and work,” Mr. Adam urges.
The Ministry also encourages the public to take the four question gender equality poll, by the World Bank, which can be found on the resource page of the new website. The poll provides a quick snapshot of the public’s opinion of gender equality in the Cayman Islands.
Senior Policy Advisor (Gender) Tammy Ebanks worked with Government Information Services to develop the public information and education campaign, and will be collaborating with the Civil Service College to develop more training tools in the near future.
The Gender Equality Law takes effect on 31 January 2012.
(GIS)
