Kamla Hamilton, a senior product manager at C&W Business, has urged women to approach opportunities in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector with openness and flexibility.

Speaking at the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s (JSE) Ring the Bell Ceremony for International Women’s Day 2024, Hamilton emphasised the abundance of employment options, particularly in technical roles. The event themed: “Count Her In – Accelerating Gender Equality Through Economic Empowerment”, was aimed at raising awareness and driving action on gender-based issues, featuring insights from female leaders across Jamaica’s corporate and public sectors and a panel discussion.

Hamilton highlighted the importance of avoiding pitfalls and projecting oneself for advancement, underscoring the need for gender equity in the industry. She noted the increasing representation of women in technical roles at Flow Jamaica (C&W Business affiliate) and emphasized the company’s commitment to fostering meaningful change. 

Women in ICT, she observed, have been stepping outside traditional female roles, such as human resources and finance, and joining “the technical operations teams and enhancing and bringing that perspective and that diversity that we need”. She shared that at Flow and across the industry there has been an increase in the number of female entrants in telecoms, specifically in the past five years.

Hamilton noted Flow’s willingness and targeted efforts to foster meaningful change. The company’s senior leadership includes 63 per cent women, and female representation at the people manager’s level is also significant, at 52 per cent.

As such, she urged other industry partners to join the push in providing more impactful gender equity chances.

“At Flow, we’re focused on ensuring that women have equal opportunities and so they can be considered for the roles that are meaningful and will create meaningful change,” Hamilton shared.

“For me particularly in the cybersecurity area, which is where I have a keen interest, there’s a massive dearth of competencies across the board – and this is not gender specific, this is just right across the board. It only means then that including, and providing opportunities for females, specifically in that area, is the way in which we’ll be able to fill that gap,” she reasoned.

On a personal level, Hamilton sought to influence women to fully commit to their goals in avoiding habits that could negatively affect their progress.

“Launch after the opportunities when they are presented,” she emphasised. “Don’t think that I’m not ready, I’m not qualified, I don’t have the competencies or skillsets, because sometimes when you step outside that comfort zone and that complacency zone, that is when marvellous things happen, opportunities that you’ve never thought about; pathways that previously you would not have encountered are opened up to you.”

Senior Superintendent of Police, Stephanie Lindsay from the male-dominated Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF); People’s National Party (PNP) Women’s Movement president, Patricia Duncan-Sutherland; the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) chief Architect Maxine Casserly, and Angie Martinez, Dominican Republic ambassador to Jamaica, also inspired on the ‘Counting Her In’ panel.

Duncan-Sutherland shared with women that, “When you step into a room do not small up yourself. Make your voice be heard, do not be afraid to speak up.”

Lindsay advised: “You have to define yourself; you have to continue to seek the knowledge, you have to have credibility. Be your own person, maintain your identity and continue to build that credibility so you’ll have authority when you speak.”

Casserly told women on the move that, “You have to start. Don’t be discouraged, don’t listen to the voices around, focus on your goal and your objectives and just start moving, one step at a time.”

Martinez shared experiences of growing up in a household full of brothers.

“Create your own opportunity and be your own architect of your destiny through education,” the diplomat expressed in step with the JSE’s IWD 2024 focus. “This is the most powerful instrument and tool … everything that I am is because I pursued excellence and education.”