The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) was awarded on Monday, January 24 in the "Most Innovative/Creative International Men’s" category for their submission to the Bureau of Gender Affairs’ Gender Challenge.
The award is organized by the Bureau of Gender Affairs, a division of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport that has, among its missions, the recognition of women and creates avenues for their full integration in national development.
Accepting the award on behalf of the JCA, Princess Sinclair, Director, Organisational Development said, "the award was well received by the Jamaica Customs Agency, and it reinforces the Agency’s commitment as a partner for gender equity and diversity at the local and regional level."
With an equal-opportunity recruitment process, the Agency has a diversified workforce which drives its growth and development. Today, women represent more than 60% of the staff at the JCA, far exceeding Jamaica’s 46% of total women in the labour force as reported by the World Bank in 2020.
"We are proud that we have a diversified multi generational workforce that comprises 68% females (general population) and 64% at the senior management level.
To ensure an inclusive and friendly workplace, the Agency adopts several gender sensitization strategies that explicitly oppose sexual harassment, with dedicated policies to further promote a healthy work environment for all employees. At present, 98% of senior management has been fully sensitized.
The Jamaica Customs Agency plans to continue the use of creative and innovative strategies to implement gender mainstreaming activities within its operations.