IMPLICATIONS OF THE GLASS CEILING CONCEPT

Nov 15, 2015 Editorial, Features / Columnists

In Guyana, more women than men are enrolled at the University of Guyana. Although there are more male high school drop-outs than females, a cursory look at the leadership in the corporate sector and in the government would reveal that the society is still very much male-dominated at the top.
For decades, men have dominated all sectors in Guyana—business, government and the political. Simply put, the full crest of power is in the hands of men who are in control of the country. This raises the question: Do women in Guyana really have power?
Unlike the United States and other countries, there is hardly a debate in Guyana about the power of women. Even though the implications of the glass ceiling concept are still evident, there should be a public discussion on elements such as power, influence and inspiration as it relates to women in Guyana.
Most men are still hesitant to support a female for president or even embrace the notion of a female CEO of a corporation. The claim by some that women are too emotional to be good and effective political leaders or CEO’s is without merit. Studies have shown that all human beings are emotional, some more than others, but women in general are definitely more passionate than men at whatever they do, be it chores in the home or regular work.
This fact however, is completely lost in the assessment of the role of women by most men and the reason is twofold. Some men believe that most women are not competent enough to be political leaders or CEO’s. They have refused to accept that women have the wherewithal to be just as good as men in the corporate or political world.
Men are also aware that women have the talent, skills and ability to perform in any position if given the opportunity.
In Guyana, a few women have quietly moved up the corporate and political ladder. If it is true that women are uncomfortable to publicly acknowledge their successes in the political and corporate world, then they are subscribing to the glass ceiling concept. One wonders what the reaction would have been if there are fewer powerful men than women in Guyana.
The achievements of women in Guyana have over the years been down played by some in society even though there are women in every profession—doctors, professors, lawyers, judges, security, engineers, CEO’s, priests, and leaders, among others.
However, upon reflection, a woman should not be compared to a man because the inequality is too stark. Women should not be judged by the same standards as men, because Guyana is still a male-dominated society where most women are given secondary roles. There are not as many female CEO’s or Ministers in the government as men. In fact, it is difficult to find two dozen business women in Guyana who are self-made, million-dollar entrepreneurs.
Although women are 53 percent of Guyana’s population, they are about one-third of the 65- member Parliament and the 15-member cabinet. And there are only two senior female ministers but no female vice presidents.
Another blatant example of gender inequality in Guyana is that women continue to earn 74 percent of what men earn for the same job. These are issues that must be urgently addressed by the government if Guyana is to become a just society.
The fact that the power of women is not as visible as men in Guyana means that women have a lot more work to do. Remaining quiet or taking a backseat to men should not be an option for women. They must shatter the glass ceiling concept and the male-dominated society, not only for them but also for their daughters and future generation of women.

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